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MEMOIRS 

or  TDK 

LIFE    AND   MINISTRY 

or  TBI 

REV.  JOHN  SUMMEREIELD,  A.M. 

BY  JOHN  HOLLAND. 

WITH   AH 

INTRODUCTORY    LETTER 

BY  JAMES   MONTGOMERY. 

TOGETHER   WITH 

LETTERS  AND  REMINISCENCES  NOT  BEFORE  PUBLISHED. 


"  The  life  of  my  much  esteemed  friend,  the  late  Rev.  John  Summerfield,  Is  a  subject 
in  which,  according  to  my  judgment,  the  Church  of  Christ  is  much  interested."— 
Bishop  M'Kendree. 

"  Summerfield  was  a  most  devoted  and  eloquent  man." — Dr.  Raffles. 

u  A  fervent,  fearless,  self  sacrificing  preacher,  the  delight  of  wondering,  weeping, 
and  admiring  audiences,  wherever  he  went" — Montgomery. 


SEVENTH  EDITION. 


NEW  YORK: 
PUBLISHED. BY  J.  K.  WELLMAN, 

tO  Spruce  Street. 

1845. 


Southern  District  of  New  York,  ss. 

Be  it  remembered,  That  on  the  29th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1829,  in  the 
fifty-third  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
James  Blackstock,  of  the  said  District,  hath  deposited  in  this  office 
the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  proprietor,  in  the 
words  following,  to  wit : — 

"  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Summerfield, 
A.  M.,  late  a  preacher  in  connection  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  America.  By  John  Holland.  With  an  Introductory  Letter, 
by  James  Montgomery.  '  The  life  of  my  much  esteemed  friend,  the  late 
Rev.  John  Summerfield,  is  a  subject  in  which,  according  to  my  judg- 
ment, the  Church  of  Christ  is  much  interested.' — Bishop  M^Kendree. 
f  Summerfield  was  a  most  devoted  and  eloquent  man.' — Dr.  Raffles.  '  A 
fervent,  fearless,  self-sacrificing  preacher,  the  delight  of  wondering, 
weeping,  and  admiring  audiences,  wherever  he  went.' — Montgomery:'1 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled, 
*'  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of 
Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies, 
during  the  time  therein  mentioned."  And  also  to  an  act,  entitled, l;  An 
Act,  supplementary  to  an  Act,  entitled,  an  Act  for  the  encouragement 
of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the 
authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  men- 
tioned, and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  aits  of  designing,  en,- 
gfaving,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

FRED.  J.  BETTS, 
Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1844,  by 

James  Blackstock, 

in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of 
New  York. 


CONTENTS. 


SECTION  I. 
Mr.  Summerfield's  parentage,  birth,  and  education — goes  to  reside  at  Liver- 
pool— a  remarkable  dream. 15 

SECTION  II. 
Removal  to  Dublin — falls  into  dissipated  habits — occasional  contrition — cor- 
respondence with  Dr.  Raffles — thinks  of  entering  the  ministry  among  the 
dissenters — goes  into  business — fresh  irregularities — attends  the  courts  of 
law.  28 

SECTION   III. 
His  conversion — attends  prayer  meetings — verses  to  the  Rev.  P.  and  Mrs. 
French — interesting  letter  to  his  class-leader 42 

SECTION  IV. 

Begins  to  keep  a  diary — attends  Sunday  Schools — gives  an  exhortation — 
incessantly  studies  the  holy  scriptures — attends  an  Irish  wake — filial  obe- 
dience— falls  into  temptation £1 

SECTION  V. 
Studies  incessantly — thinks  about  the  Christian  ministry — health  very  deli- 
cate— religious  experience — ardent  piety — dreams.        ...         74 

SECTION  VI. 
Received  as  a  Local  Preacher — attention  to  domestic  duties — visits  for  the 
"  Stranger's  Friend  Society" — anxieties  about  his  ministerial  call — over- 
taken with  a  fault — excessive  fasting — removal  to  Cork — entire  devoted- 
ness  to  God. 88 

SECTION  VII. 

Controversy  about  the  Sacrament — the  Clones'  party — Summerfield  becomes 
a  popular  preacher — preaches  almost  incessantly — ministerial  anxieties — 
travels  and  addresses  large  auditories  in  Ireland  with  great  success.      Ill 

SECTION  VIII. 

Returns  to  Dublin — popularity  increases — dedicates  himself  afresh  to  God — 

visits  Cork — his  fervour — polemical  discussion — falls  from  his  horse — ■ 

abundance  of  his  labours — receives  a  conference  appointment — Missionary 

speech. 128 


CONTENTS. 

SECTION  IX. 
Religious  experience — resolves  to  avoid  tea  parties — preaches  at  the  request 
of  the  Earl  of  Rosse — a  dangerous  illness — resumes  his  labours,  and  ad- 
dresses large  congregations— exercises  of  spirit — loyalty — anxious  to  visit 
England. 151 

SECTION   X. 
Arrives  in  England,  and  preaches  at  Bristol — Exeter — attends  conference  at 
Liverpool— entertains  thoughts  of  going  to  America— embarks  for  New~ 
York. 170 

SECTION  XI. 
Methodism  in  America — Summerfield  arrives  at  New- York— eloquent 
speech — stationed  at  New- York — speech — unprecedented  popularity— 
addresses  children — letters — newspaper  notices — immense  audiences  at 
Washington — preaches  in  front  of  the  capitol — affection  of  his  friends — 
affecting  sermon.       ...*..»        *        .  1S1 

SECTION  XII. 
Ordained  Deacon — violent  illness — dictates  a  testamentary  paper — recovers 
slowly — public    anxiety — letters— episcopal    certificate    to    travel — visits 
New-Jersey — created  Master  of  Arts — letter.       ....        208 

SECTION  XIII. 
Sails  for  France — interesting  letters  from  Marseilles.       .        .        .        236 

SECTION  XIV. 
Writes  to  the  Young  Men's  Missionary  Society — Paris — speech  at  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Protestant  Bible  Society  of  France — reply  of  Mons.  Billings — 
letters. 262 

SECTION  XV. 
Arrives  in  England — Fairfield — preaches  at  Liverpool — letters — attends  the 
conference  at  Sheffield — visits  many  other  places — his  health  but  little  im- 
proved— letters. 275 

SECTION  XVI. 
Returns  to  America — attends  the  Baltimore  conference — ordained  an  Elder 
— appointed  a  missionary  within  the  bounds  of  Baltimore  conference- 
extracts  from  diary — mission  to  the  Wyandott  Indians — at  Baltimore  in 

extreme  debility 292 

SECTION  XVII. 
Extracts  from  diary — letters — returns  to  New- York — last  illness — death-bed 
expressions— -dies  in  the  Lord — public  sympathy — funeral — monumental 
inscriptions 310 

SECTION  xvm 
General  concluding  observations. .337 


LIFE  AND  MINISTRY 

OF 

REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD. 

The  price  of  the  work  is  as  follows  : — In  plain  binding,  $1,25; 
splendid  fancy  bindings  from  $1,50  to  $2,00.  Sent  by  mail,  in  pa- 
per covers,  to  any  part  of  the  country,  for  $1,00. 

Agents  wanted  to  circulate  the  above  work,  to  whom  a  liberal  dis- 
count will  be  made. 

J.  K.  WELLMAN,  Publisher, 

16  Spruce  Street,  New  York. 
N.  B.  We  give  below  the  opinions  of  the  press : 

We  are  glad  to  see  this  work  again.  It  has  often  been  inquired 
for,  and  as  often  read  with  avidity  and  delight  No  youthful  evange- 
list ever  enjoyed  a  more  enviable  popularity  than  John  Summerfield ; 
and  it  may  still  be  said  of  him  as  was  said  in  his  native  land :  "  If  he 
be  not  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  he  is  at  least  one  of  the  first 
brilliancy!"  Nor  are  we  in  the  least  displeased  that  this  is  not  a 
"  new  life  of  Summerfield."  Mr.  Holland  has  done  all  that  a  bio- 
grapher under  his  circumstances  could  do ;  and  the  fact  that  the 
"  Memoirs"  ran  through  Jive  editions  within  two  years  of  their  first 
publication,  is  no  mean  proof  of  the  merits  of  the  work. — Christian 
Advocate  and  Journal,  New  York. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  is  fervently  remembered  by  the  se- 
niors of  this  generation  as  a  burning  and  a  shining  light  in  their  earlier 
years.  His  eloquence  in  the  pulpit  was  paralleled  and  enforced  by  his 
daily  walk  and  conversation  ;  it  was  eagerly  listened  to  and  heeded, 
and  is  still  treasured  in  thousands  of  hearts  and  its  fruits  evinced  in 
thousands  of  lives ;  it  was  energetic,  unostentatious,  impressive ;  it 
was  the  distillation  of  heavenly  purity  and  Christian  love.  Deeply 
attached  to  his  own  communion  (the  Methodist),  Mr.  Summerfield 
won  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  men  of  all  churches  and  the  enmity 
of  none  ;  no  ore  regarded  him  as  a  minister  of  a  rival  church,  but  all 
as  a  Christian  and  a  brother.  We  are  not  surprised,  but  gratified, 
to  see  the  biography  of  such  a  man  reach  its  sixth  edition.  It  cannot 
be  read  without  profit  by  any. — New  York  Tribune. 

This  volume  is  accompanied  with  a  portrait  of  the  gentle  and  elo- 


quent  Summerfield,  which  is  of  itself  a  recommendation.  A  sweeter 
and  more  attractive  countenance  is  seldom  looked  upon.  The  Memoir 
was  composed  by  the  poet  Holland,  of  Sheffield,  who  was  the  friend 
of  Montgomery,  and  possessed  much  of  his  excellent  spirit.  It 
exhibits  great  taste,  and  affectionate  reverence  for  the  talents  and  piety 
of  the  subject,  who  was  in  many  respects  one  of  the  most  remarkable  ' 
men  of  modern  times.  The  present  edition  has  been  enlarged  one 
hundred  pages,  by  the  publication  of  a  number  of  Summerfield's  .let- 
ters, and  the  reminiscences  of  his  oratory,  manners,  and  piety,  by 
several  eminent  men  of  this  country  and  England.  The  letters  dis- 
play the  peculiarly  amiable  traits  of  Summerfield's  character  in  a 
delightful  manner ;  and  as  specimens  of  letter- writing  possess  uncom- 
mon excellence. 

The  work  is  very  neatly  printed  in  large  type,  on  fine  paper,  and 
makes  an  attractive  and  highly  useful  volume. — New  York  Evan- 
gelist. 

There  is  an  odor  of  sanctity,  a  hallowed,  sweet  remembrance,  con- 
nected with  the  name  of  Summerfield,  which  makes  it  ever  delightful 
to  recall  his  name.  "  Whom  the  gods  love  die  young,"  though  a 
heathen  maxim,  was  beautifully  illustrated  in  the  death  of  this  pure 
spirit.  It  is  almost  twenty  years  since  his  earthly  career  was  termi- 
nated— a  career  how  brief — how  brilliant !  Yet  it  seems  but  as  yes- 
terday since  his  persuasive  voice  was  falling  upon  our  ears  like 
music — sounding  even  now  like  the  rich  melody  of  a  bright  vision. 
It  was  our  pleasure  to  read  the  interesting  Memoir  of  Mr.  Holland 
in  manuscript,  before  the  original  publication  ;  but  we  were  not  aware, 
until  the  receipt  of  the  present  volume,  that  it  had  gone  to  a  sixth 
edition.  This  has  been  rendered  more  valuable  by  the  addition  of 
copious  selections  from  the  literary  remains  of  the  gifted  subject. — 
Commercial  Advertiser. 

The  Life  of  Summerfield  by  Holland,  with  an  introductory  letter  by 
James  Montgomery,  has  reached  its  sixth  edition.  The  name  of  this 
■young  man  is  familiarly  dear  to  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands,  and 
the  sweetness  of  his  seraphic  spirit  lingers  in  the  memory  ol  many  as 
the  recollection  of  a  visit  from  a  dweller  in  a  better  land.  Not  like  a 
comet,  but  like  the  morning  star,  he  shone  for  a  brief  season  above 
the  horizon,  then  melted  away  "  into  the  brighter  light  of  heaven," 
and  left  behind  him  a  memory  fragrant  and  precious.  This  volume  is 
embellished  with  a  striking  portrait. — New  York  Observer. 


PROSPECTUS 

OF    THE 

LITERARY   EMPORIUM; 

A.    COMPENDIUM    OF 

RELIGIOUS,    LITERARY,    AND    PHILOSOPHICAL    KNOWLEDGE, 

"multttm  in  parvo." 

It  has  been  so  common  to  put  forth  in  a  Prospectus,  promises  which 
have  not  been  met  in  the  Magazine,  that  public  confidence  has  been 
almost  annihilated.  We  shall  be  modest,  therefore,  in  our  pretensions, 
while  we  give  as  true  a  description  of  our  intended  course  as  we  can,  in 
plain  English.  In  the  first  place,  light  literature  will  find  no  place  in  its 
pages,  t*.  e.  love  tales,  literary  trash,  &c.  In  the  second  place,  sectarian- 
ism will  not  be  admitted  into  the  Emporium ;  that  is  to  say,  it  will 
favor  no  particular  denomination  of  Christians ;  but  we  do  not  mean  by 
this  that  it  will  not  advocate  the  religion  of  the  Bible.  It  is  intended 
that  it  shall  do  this,  and  in  the  strongest  terms.  It  will  urge  the  neces- 
sity not  only  of  a  change  of  heart,  but  of  a  virtuous  and  holy  life,  in 
order  to  be  truly  happy  in  this  world  and  to  be  prepared  for  that  which 
is  to  come.  It  is  intended  that  its  religious  matter  shall  be  of  such  a 
nature  as  will  be  calculated  to  cultivate,  to  inspire,  and  please  a  good 
and  correct  taste — that  which  will  inform,  expand,  and  elevate  the 
mind,  and  also  excite  in  the  soul  love  to  God,  holiness,  virtue,  and  hu- 
manity. In  regard  to  its  literary  character,  it  is  designed  to  be  of  such 
a  nature  as  to  water  the  thirsty  soul  that  is  studiously  endeavoring  to 
acquire  a  knowledge  of  man  in  his  past  and  present  condition ;  also, 
some  information  in  relation  to  the  different  sciences  and  arts,  and  the 
variety  of  the  works  of  nature,  with  such  miscellaneous  reading  as  will 
invigorate  the  faculties  of  the  mind,  give  scope  to  the  imagination,  while 
it  shall  address  itself  to  the  good  sense  of  all  who  desire  to  be  truly  ele- 
vated by  reading. 

Each  Number  contains  32  pages  of  handsome  paper  and  type;  it  also 
contains  splendid  plates  ;  is  published  monthly,  a%$l  a  year,  if  paid  in 
advance.  One  third  allowed  to  persons  who  procure  subscribers  for  the 
work.  Good  agents  wanted  to  circulate  the  Emporium.  All  letters, 
orders,  &c,  should  be  addressed  to 

J.  K.  WELLMAN, 
Editor  and  Proprietor,  No.  16  Spruce  St.,  New  York. 


ED1T0EIAL  NOTICES 

OP    THE 

LITERARY   EMPORIUM. 

From  the  Boston  Recorder. 

"  The  Liteeaey  Emporium, — a  compendium  of  religious, 
literary,  and  philosophical  knowkdge.  New  York :  J.  K. 
Wellman."  The  Numbers  of  this  new  work  for  January 
and  February  have  been  published,  and  the  tables  of  con- 
tents are  such  as  to  do  credit  to  the  taste  and  judgment  of 
the  editor. 

From  the  Maine  Cultivator. 

This  is  one  of  the  best  magazines  of  the  day.  It  is  a 
compendium  of  religious,  literary,  and  philosophical  know- 
ledge, destitute  of  light  literature,  love  tales,  sectarianism, 
or  other  trash.  Its  religious  matter  is  of  such  a  nature  as 
is  calculated  to  cultivate,  to  inspire,  and  please  a  good  and 
correct  taste.  In  its  literary  character,  a  knowledge  of 
man  in  his  past  and  present  condition  will  be  inculcated ; 
in  science,  the  works  of  nature,  miscellaneous  reading  that 
shall  invigorate  the  faculties  of  the  mind  and  elevate  the 
character.    Each  number  contains  32  pages,  and  a  splendid 

Elate  is  furnished  as  often  as  once  in  three  months.  Pub- 
shed  monthly  at  $1  per  annum  in  advance. 
From  the  New  York  Evangelist. 
The  "  Literary  Emporium"  is  the  title  of  a  cheap  monthly 
magazine,  published  by  J.  K.  Wellman,  16  Spruce  street, 
rAice  $1 :  designed  to  be  a  compendium  of  religious,  lite- 
rary, and  philosophical  knowledge.  It  promises  remarka- 
bly well.  The  Number  for  May  deserves  to  be  commended 
to  youthful  readers  and  to  families  as  a  judicious  and 
healthful  work  in  the  department  of  useful,  solid  literature. 
It  is  attractive,  neat,  and  very  cheap,  and  pervaded  by  good 
taste  and  an  excellent  spirit. 

From  the  ZiorHs  Herald,  Boston. 
We  have  received  No.  5  of  this  new  monthly ;  it  presents 
a  fine  table  of  contents,  and  is  embellished  by  a  superior 
engraving  of  Rev.  John  Summerfield. 

From  the  Liberty  Standard. 
Several  other  numbers  of  this  valuable  monthly  are  re- 
ceived, and  well  sustain  the  character  of  the  first.     It 
should  be  valued  in  the  family.    Price  $1. 


ADDITIONAL   LETTERS 


Prom  his  Father,  . 

From  his  Father,  .  . 

From  his  Father, 

To  Mrs.  Blackstock,    . 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elackstock, 

To    "  a  « 

To  Mrs.  Garrettson,  . 

To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker, 

To  Mr. ,  of  Baltimore, 

To  Mrs.  Suckley, 

To  Mr.  William  M.  Willett, 

To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent, 

To    "        «  " 

To  Rev.  John  (late  Bishop)  Emory, 

To  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Sargent, 

To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker, 

To  his  Father, 

To  his  Family, 

To  his  Father, 

To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent, 

To    "         "  " 

To  Rev.  William  M.  Willett, 

To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent, 

To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent, 

To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent, 

To  Mrs.  Blackstock, 

To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent, 

To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent, 

To  Mr.  Samuel  Harder, 

To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent, 


359 
360 
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384 
386 
387 
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389 
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402 
404 
405 
406 
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409 
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411 


To  Anthony  Badley,  Esq.; 
To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent, 
To  Mr.  Blackstock, 
To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent, 
To    "        "  « 

To  Mr.  Francis  Hall, 

To  Mr. ,  at  Prince 

To  the  same, 
To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent, 
To  Mr.  Francis  Hall, 
To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker, 
To  Mr.  Francis  Hall, 


CONTENTS. 

m 

0                      # 

412 

,      . 

. 

• 

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415 

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, 

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416 

» 

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I         • 

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418 

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College, 

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420 

.     . 

• 

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426 

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427 

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428 
428 

REMINISCENCES. 

By  the  Rev  Dr.  Bond,        .  .  .  '    . 

By  the  Rev.  Matthew  Richey,  .  .  ." 

By  the  late  Marinus  Willett,  M.D., 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  H.  Bascom,  D.D.,  .  . 

Recollections  by  Mrs.  Creagh,        .... 

By  the  Rev.  J.  N.  Danforth,     .... 

Recollections  by  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Willett, 

Letter  from  the  Rev.  John  (late  Bishop)  Emory, 

Recollections  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bethune,      .  :  . 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Kev.  Dr.  Bond, 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dr.  Baker,  .  .  . 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  a  Student  at  Law, 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  a  Student  of  the  Theological  Seminary, 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dr.  Townley,  of  London,        . 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Dr.  Nevins,  .  .  . 

Letter  from  his  Father,  .... 

Summerfield,  by  William  B.  Tappan,  Esq., 


431 

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438 
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447 
448 
453 
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455 
456 
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458 
460 


ADVERTISEMENT 


TO   THE     SIXTH      EDITION. 


No  better  proof  can  be  given  of  public  approbation  of  "  the 
Memoirs  of  Summerfield  by  John  Holland?''  than  the  fact,  that  it 
ran  through  five  editions  during  the  first  two  years  of  its  publica- 
tion. 

A  new  edition  has  for  several  years  been  called  for,  but  a 
combination  of  circumstances,  not  necessary  to  detail  here,  has 
prevented  its  appearance  until  now. 

The   present   edition   contains   nearly  one  third  more  matter 

than  those  that  have  preceded  it ;  and  that,  chiefly  of  letters  of 

a  highly  interesting  character,  from  the  pen  of  the  subject  of 

these  memoirs  himself ;  which  doubtless  will  be  acceptable  to 

the  reader. 

J.  B. 
New  York,  January,  1844. 


PREFACE. 


There  is  no  species  of  religious  composition  which  forms 
a  more  interesting  line  of  contact  between  the  church  and 
the  world,  than  judicious  memoirs  of  departed  saints.  It 
is  generally,  therefore,  no  less  a  pious  duty  than  a  sacred 
pleasure,  on  the  part  of  members  of  a  christian  communi- 
ty, to  collect  and  publish  the  reminiscences  of  those  holy 
men  who  have  lived  and  died  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel. 

The  memorials  of  such  persons  are,  when  compiled 
with  prudence  and  fidelity,  generally  well  calculated  to  il- 
lustrate the  important  and  interesting  truth,  that,  while  on 
the  one  hand,  the  exercise  of  a  true  faith  in  Jesus  Christ, 
produces  uniformly  the  same  results — so  far  as  that  the 
grand  principles  of  every  professor's  life  and  testimony  may 
be  tried  by  the  express  rules  of  the  word  of  God ;  on  the 
other  hand,  they  shew  in  their  subordinate  phenomena, 
how  true  is  the  intimation  of  the  same  scriptural  authority, 
that  the  same  spirit  which  is  the  life  of  all  christians  alike, 
operates  nevertheless  with  great  diversity  of  gifts  in  each. 


4        .  PREFACE. 

"Whether  the  interesting  individual,  whose  story  is  nar- 
rated in  the  ensuing  pages,  should  be  regarded  as  merely  a 
distinguished  ornament  in  a  class  of  preachers  of  the  gos- 
pel with  which  our  age  has  been  peculiarly  favoured,  or 
whether,  to  a  certain  extent,  he  ought  not  rather  to  be  con- 
sidered sui  generis,  are  questions  which,  if  important  at 
all,  will  most  likely  be  satisfactorily  answered  in  the  pro- 
gress of  this  work.  One  thing,  however,  is  certain,  that 
talents,  which  procured  for  their  possessor  such  distinction 
in  England,  Ireland,  France,  and  especially  in  America, 
must  have  been,  at  the  lowest  estimate,  of  no  ordinary 
description :  and  when  it  is  recollected  that  these  talents 
were  all  consecrated  and  exercised  in  the  noblest  of  all 
services — the  service  of  the  Redeemer,  by  one,  whose 
praise  was  in  all  the  churches  where  his  name  was  known ; 
a  spirit  of  laudable  curiosity  is  excited,  even  among  those 
who  never  saw  him,  to  know  something  of  the  personal 
history  of  such  an  individual ; — while  those  who  have 
known  him  face  to  face  in  the  flesh,  and  can  testify  of  his 
holy  life  and  conversation,  are  justly  loath  to  suffer  so  vir- 
tuous an  example  of  christian  excellence  to  pass  away, 
without  some  fitting  memorial. 

It  is  highly  creditable  to  the  relatives  of  the  late  Mr. 
Summerfield,  that  they  should  have  taken  such  pains  in 
collecting  the  requisite  materials  for  a  biographical  account. 


PREFACE.  5 

• 

Indeed,  so  ample,  consecutive,  and  satisfactory  were  the 
documents  accumulated  with  reference  to  this  object,  that 
with  the  aid  of  such  voluminous  and  authentic  vouchers, 
it  became  a  question  of  comparatively  little  importance 
where  the  work  should  be  written.  The  competency  of  the 
individual  who  might  happen  to  be  entrusted  with  the 
execution  of  this  design,  was  confessedly  a  consideration  of 
greater  importance.  There  is  therefore  much  justness  in 
the  following  extract  from  a  letter  on  this  subject,  which 
was  addressed  by  Bishop  M'Kendree  to  Mr.  Blackstock  at 
New-York;— the  bishop,  it  is  right  to  add,  was  in  favour  of 
an  American  biographer : — 

"  Baltimore,  July  5,  1826. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  In  compliance  with  your  request  relative  to  the  Life 
of  your  brother-in-law,  and  my  much  esteemed  frierid, 
the  late  Rev.  John  Summerneld,  I  would  say,  it  is  a  sub- 
ject in  which,  according  to  my  judgement,  the  church  of 
Christ  is  much  interested  ;  and  that  it  is  very  desirable 
that  his  true  character  should  be  faithfully  delineated  in 
his  Life.  You  have  in  possession,  most  of  the  materials 
for  this  valuable  work,  and  it  is  with  you  to  select  u  biog- 
rapher, and  have  his  life  written  ;  and  while  his  beloved 
relatives  may  derive  pecuniary  benefit  therefrom,  thou- 
sands of  his  christian  friends,  in  common  with  his  relations, 


D  PREFACE. 

« 

will  long  enjoy  the  benefit  of  his  example,  as  a  christian 
and  a  minister. 

"  But  such  are  the  peculiarities  of  his  character,  that 
very  much  depends  on  the  choice  of  his  biographer.  Mr. 
Summerfield  was  born  in  England,  converted  and  com- 
menced his  ministerial  career  in  Ireland,  and  finished  his 
exalted  course  in  America. 

"  His  literary  qualifications,  connected  with  his  know- 
ledge of  divinity,  and  attainments  in  experimental  religion, 
raised  him  above  the  character  of  ordinary  ministers. 

"  His  sensibility  was  refined,  his  manners  chaste,  his 
performances  polished  with  graces  peculiar  to  himself. 

"  To  delineate  the  character  of  such  a  minister,  the  wri- 
ter of  his  life  should  not  only  possess  suitable  qualifications 
as  an  author,  but  he  should  be  of  the  same  religious  senti- 
ments; and  be  able,  in  some  good  degree,  to  accompany  him 
in  his  researches  and  christian  experience.  He  should  be 
intimately  acquainted  with  him  in  his  social  and  private 
actions — his  writings,  his  views,  and  his  situation.  He 
should  be  a  sympathizing  friend,  as  well  as  a  discriminating 
judge.  Such  friends,  Mr.  Summerfield  no  doubt  had,  in 
England,  Ireland,  and  America." 


PREFACE.  7 

Having  before  me,  and  on  such  high  authority,  the  list 
of  rare  requirements  just  enumerated,  it  may  well  be  ex- 
pected, either  that  I  should  assume  their  possession,  or  give 
some  other  reason  why  I  appear  in  my  present  character. 

►  Four  years  having  nearly  elapsed  since  the  death  of 
Mr.  Summerfield,  and  the  execution  of  a  Memoir  having 
been  so  long  delayed  by  providential  circumstances,  a  com- 
munication through  the  Rev.  Doctor  Townley,  of  London, 
the  originally  anticipated  biographer,  was  made  to  my  ex- 
cellent friend,  Mr.  Montgomery,  of  Sheffield ;  a  gentleman 
almost  as  generally  known  and  esteemed,  wherever  the  Eng- 
lish language  is  spoken,  as  certainly  well  qualified  to  have 
undertaken  this  work.  Toward  the  project  itself,  he  was 
well  enough  affected,  as  offering  an  appropriate  exercise  for 
that  peculiar  combination  of  talent  and  piety  by  which  he 
is  so  justly  characterized.  Other  pressing  engagements, 
however,  compelling  Mr.  Montgomery  to  decline  the  task, 
he,  voluntarily,  indeed,  without  my  knowledge,  at  the 
time,  recommended  me  to  the  friends  of  the  deceased,  in 
such  a  manner,  as  to  secure  their  .confidence,  by  making 
himself,  in  some  sort,  responsible  for  a  satisfactory  result. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  became  my  duty  to  com- 
ply with  the  proposals  ;  and  enjoying,  as  I  have  long  had 
the  happiness  to  do,  the  most  unreserved  intimacy  with 


8  PREFACE. 

the  beloved  poet  abovenamed,  the  papers  were  not  only 
transmitted  through  his  hands  to  my  own,  but  his  ingenu 
ous  opinions  upon  their  contents  so  far  familiarly  commu 
nicated,  as  very  greatly  to  facilitate  my  progress,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  increase  my  confidence  of  success  in  the 
composition  of  this  work.  The  Memoir  being  completed, 
I  placed  the  MS.  in  Mr.  Montgomery's  hands,  accompanied 
with  the  following  note  : — 

"  Sheffield  Park,  March  20th,  1829. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Having  undertaken,  at  your  instance,  to  write  this 
Life  of  Summerfield,  and  as  such  recommendation  has,  in 
some  sort,  committed  your  character  in  my  success  or 
failure,  I  feel  it  no  less  a  bounden  duty  than  a  high  plea- 
sure to  submit  to  your  perusal  the  accompanying  MS.  As 
the  papers  out  of  which  the  authorities  and  illustrations  of 
this  piece  of  biography  have  been  mainly  drawn,  passed 
through  your  hands,  I  should  undoubtedly  regard  it  as  a 
great  satisfaction  to  be  allowed  to  identify  my  declaration 
with  your  testimony,  that  the  materials  alluded  to  have 
been  legitimately,  would  I  might  add,  fully  and  judicious- 
ly, appropriated.  In  thus  seeking  the  expression  of  your 
candid  judgement,  I  confess  that  I  am  much  less  solicitous 
of  implicating  your  generous  approbation  of  a  work, 
which  must,  after  all,  stand  or  fall,  according  to  its  intrin- 


PREFACE.  9 

sic  value,  than  I  am  ambitious  of  accompanying  these 
pages  to  America,  with  some  recognition  on  your  part,  of 
the  existence  of  that  friendship,  the  enjoyment  of  which 
I  must  ever  regard  as  the  highest  earthly  felicity  of  my 
life. 

"  I  remain,  dear  sir,  yours,  very  affectionately, 
"JOHN  HOLLAND." 

In  a  few  days  afterwards,  I  received  from  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery's own  hand,  the  manuscript,  and  enclosed  there- 
with, the  following  gratifying  letter,  which  I  am  allowed 
to  publish,  and  which  might,  perhaps,  cf  itself,  have  formed 
the  best  and  only  necessary  preface  to  these  Memoirs. 

"  To  Mr.  John  Holland. 
"  Dear  Friend, 

"  When  I  named  you  to  the  relatives  of  the  late  Rev. 
John  Summerfieldj  as  a  proper  person  to  prepare  a  memoir 
of  that  minister  extraordinary  of  the  gospel,  I  was  per- 
fectly aware  of  the  responsibility  which  I  thereby  incurred  ; 
but  1  was  also  so  well  satisfied  with  respect  to  your  quali- 
fications, that  1  gladly  trusted  my  credit  on  your  perform- 
ance of  the  task.  I  now  thank  you  sincerely  for  having, 
most  promptly  and  effectually,  redeemed  the  pledge  which 
I  laid  down  for  you.     Without  binding  myself  to  subscribe 

implicitly  to  every  sentiment,  or  to  approve  of  every  form 

2 


10  PREFACE. 

of  expression  in  it,  I  can  say,  after  an  attentive  perusal  of 
the  manuscript,  that  according  to  my  best  judgement,  you 
have  done  justice  to  the  subject,  honour  to  yourself,  and 
service  to  the  Church  on  earth,  by  presenting  one  trophy 
more  of  the  power  of  the  religion  of  Jesus — out  of  weak- 
ness to  perfect  strength,  and  by  instruments  such  as  God 
alone  could  make,  and  such  as  He  alone  would  vise,  to  work 
miracles  of  mercy  in  converting  sinners  from  the  error  of 
their  ways,  saving  souls  from  death,  and  covering  a  mul- 
titutle  of  sins. 

"  You  know,  that  before  I  put  the  multifarious  materials 
for  the  intended  work  into  your  hands,  I  had  diligently  ex- 
amined the  whole,  both  for  my  own  satisfaction,  and  that 
I  might  be  prepared  to  afford  you  any  counsel  or  assistance 
in  my  power,  which  you  might  require,  in  the  prosecution 
of  your  interesting  but  by  no  means  easy  labours.  I  con- 
fess now,  that,  while  my  willing  persuasion  of  the  ardent 
piety,  the  remarkable  gifts,  and  the  amazing  influence  of 
the  preaching  of  this  young  apostle  upon  hearers  of  all 
classes,  was  abundantly  confirmed  as  I  proceeded, — my 
sense  of  the  difficulty  of  exhibiting  a  portrait  of  the  de- 
ceased, nearly  corresponding  with  the  recollections  of  the 
living  minister,  in  the  hearts  of  affectionate  kindred  and 
friends,  but  especially  of  giving  to  those  who  knew  him 
ot,  an  idea  which  should  justify,  in  their  esteem,  the 


PREFACE.  11 

praises  that  have  been  lavished  upon  him, — my  sense  of 
the  difficulty  of  doing  this  was  greatly  increased  as  I  went 
along,  and  found  among  his  remains  few  traces  of  lofty 
intellect,  powerful  imagination,  or  touching  pathos ;  such 
as  would  naturally  be  expected  hi  the  productions  of  a 
youth  so  early  and  enthusiastically  followed  and  applaud- 
ed. But  the  bulk  of  these,  being  mere  journals  of  daily 
incidents,  often  very  minute, — and  of  heart-experience, 
never  coloured  either  under  or  above  present  feeling,  the 
whole  intended  for  his  own  eye  only,  and  noted  down 
under  the  eye  of  his  Master,  as  though  the  running  title 
of  his  pages  had  been, '  Thou,  God,  seest  me,' — the  absence 
of  all  curious  and  elaborate  composition,  is  a  test  of  the 
genuineness  of  the  records  themselves,  and  rather  to  the 
credit  than  the  disparagement  of  his  genius. 

"  In  his  sermons,  however,  something  of  the  character 
of  elegant  literature  might  be  required,  and  would  be  in 
place  ;  because  the  utter  inartificiality  which,  in  his  memo- 
rabilia of  hourly  occurrences,  was  a  merit,  would  have 
been  a  defect  here.  Accordingly  I  went  with  critical 
scrutiny,  through  nearly  two  hundred  sketches  of  these, 
in  his  own  hand-writing  ;  and  I  give  it  as  my  deliberate 
conviction,  that  though  they  were  very  unlike  what  I  had 
anticipated  from  a  fervent,  fearless,  self-sacrificing  preacher, 
the  delight  of  wondering,  weeping,  and  admiring  audiences 


12  PREFACE. 

wherever  he  went, — they  were,  in  one  main  respect,  far 
superior ;  being  calculated  less  for  instant  effect,  than  for 
abiding  usefulness.  Though  but  studies,  they  are  never- 
theless exceedingly  methodical  in  plan ;  and  in  execution, 
they  are  distinguished  chiefly  by  sound  doctrine,  exact 
judgement,  and  severe  abstinence  from  ornament.  Such 
ornament,  however,  as  does  occur,  is  often  exquisite  ;  and 
from  being  occasionally  interpolated  (as  after  thoughts)  1 
cannot  doubt  that,  in  uttering  these  condensed  com- 
positions at  spontaneous  length,  illustrations  the  most 
lively  and  beautiful  sprang  in  like  manner  out  of  the  sub- 
ject, when  the  preacher  himself  was  full  to  overflowing, 
yet  filling  the  faster  the  more  he  overflowed. 

"  And  this  was  the  right  kind  of  preparation,  for  one 
who  always  had  icords  at  command,  but  whose  feelings 
commanded  him.  He  came  to  the  pulpit,  with  the  v/hole 
scheme  of  his  discourse  clearly  and  succinctly  marked 
out  in  his  mind.  Then,  when  he  was  indeed  'in  the 
spirit,' — warmed,  exalted,  and  inspired  with  the  divinity 
of  his  theme,  the  chain  of  premeditated  ideas,  link  by  link, 
in  seemingly  extemporaneous  succession,  would  be  develo- 
ped ;  while  every  thought,  emotion,  and  appeal,  would  body 
itself  forth  in  the  most  vivid  and  appropriate  language. 
Then,  truly,  would  his  bow  abide  in  strength,  and  every  shaft 
which  he  sent  from  the  string, — like  the  arrow  of  Acestes, 


PREFACE.  13 

of  old,  would  take  fire  in  its  flight,  shine  through  the 
clouds,  and  vanish  in  the  immensity  of  heaven.  (Virg. 
JEn.  lib.  v.  525—8.) 

"  But  as  the  sabbath  and  the  sanctuary  were  the  day 
and  the  place  of  resurrection,  when  his  closet  skeletons, 
thus  clothed  upon,  became  living,  breathing,  speaking 
oracles, — the  retrogression  into  their  original  forms  would 
be  proportionately  to  the  preacher's  disadvantage.  Hearers, 
who  had  been  rapt  towards  the  third  heaven  in  the  fiery 
chariot  of  his  delivery,  and  almost  seemed  to  hear  '  things 
which  it  was  not  lawful  for  man  to  utter,' — when  they 
afterwards  became  readers  at  home  of  the  few,  faint  out- 
lines, however  symmetrical  and  harmonious,  would  scarcely 
recognise  their  shadowy  resemblance  to  the  glorious  appa- 
ritions which  had  gone  by, — never  to  be  renewed  except 
with  the  presence,  the  eye,  and  the  voice  of  the  preacher 
himself.  In  fact,  every  attempt  to  present  on  paper  the 
splendid  effects  of  impassioned  eloquence,  is  like  gathering 
up  dew  drops,  which  appear  jewels  and  pearls  on  the 
grass,  but  run  to  water  in  the  hand  ;  the  essence  and  the 
elements  remain,  but  the  grace,  the  sparkle,  and  the  form 
are  gone. 

"  But  Summerfield's  memory  needs  no  monument  of 
I  lis  handy  work  to  endear  and  perpetuate  it ;  nor  is  it  any 

B 


14  PREFACE. 

derogation  from  his  talents,  to  say,  that  he  has  left  no 
posthumous  proofs  of  their  power,  to  divide  with  his  Maker 
the  glory  of  what  God  was  pleased  to  do  by  him,  in  the 
faithful  exercise  of  them.  Brief  indeed  was  his  career, 
but  brilliant  and  triumphant.  Like  one  of  the  racers,  in 
that  ancient  game,  wherein  he  who  ran  with  the  greatest 
speed,  carrying  a  blazing  torch  unextinguished  to  the  goal, 
was  crowned  as  victor, — he  so  ran  that  he  soon  obtained 
the  prize ;  and  his  light,  not  extinct  even  in  death,  but 
borne  again  in  your  hand,  my  dear  friend,  along  the  same 
path,  while  you  "retrace  the  Lord's  dealings  with  himr 
through  his  swift  and  shining  course — shall  be  a  guide,  a 
comfort,  and  an  example  to  thousands,  who  never  witnessed 
its  living  coruscations. 

"  I  do  now,  therefore,  not  less  heartily  recommend  your 
Httle  volume, — tlie  more  precious,  because  it  is  a  little  one, 
— to  the  Christian  public,  as  worthy  of  their  acceptance,, 
than  on  the  former  occasion,  I  conscientiously  recommended 
yourself  to  the  esteemed  relatives  of  the  deceased,  as  wor- 
thy to  be  his  biographer. 

"  I  am,  faithfully  and  affectionately, 
your  friend, 

"J.  MONTGOMERY." 
Sheffield,  March  30,  1829. 


MEMOIRS 


OF  THE 


REV.  JOHN  SITMMERFIELD. 


SECTION  I. 

Mr.   SummerfieltPs  parentage,   birth,   and  education — goes 
to  reside  at  Liverpool — remarkable  dream. 

Although  accounts  of  the  parentage  of  a  saint  of  the 
Most  High,  unless  connected  with  some  very  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances, are  generally  uninteresting,  yet  it  may  not  be 
improper,  in  the  instance  before  us,  to  record  the  following 
brief  particulars. 

William  Summerfield,  the  father  of  that  excellent 
minister,  the  particulars  of  whose  life  I  am  about  to  nar 
rate,  was  bom  in  Devonshire,  April  12,  1770  ;  his  parents 
soon  afterwards  removed  to  Leeds  in  Yorkshire,  where 
they  had  born  to  them,  four  other  sons,  and  one  daughter. 
William,  the  eldest  boy,  was,  at  an  early  period  of  his  life, 


16  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

engaged  as  a  millwright,  at  the  works  of  Sir  Thomas 
Blackett,  of  Bretton  Hall,  near  Wakefield,  Yorkshire. 
While  in  this  situation,  he  became  acquainted  with  Miss 
Amelia  Depledge,  who,  at  the  period  in  question,  lived  in 
the  same  neighbourhood.  In  a  short  time  they  were  mar- 
ried ;  and  resided  thenceforward  about  two  years  near 
Bretton.  They  then  removed  to  Manchester,  where  Mr. 
Summer-field  was  engaged,  during  a  residence  of  about 
four  years,  as  foreman  to  a  considerable  machine  manufac- 
tory in  the  Salford  division  of  that  town. 

Here,  an  event  occurred,  of  infinite  importance  to  him- 
self, and  doubtless,  in  the  issue,  to  many  others,  who  sub- 
sequently came  within  the  sphere  of  his  influence,  which, 
from  the  natural  vigour  of  his  mind,  was  far  from  being 
inconsiderable.  He  began  to  attend  the  preaching  of  the 
Wesley  an  Methodists  ;  joined  the  society,  and  in  a  short 
time  experienced  a  scriptural  conversion  ;  which  he  attri- 
buted, mediately,  to  impressions  received  under  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Benson,  at  that  time  stationed  in 
Manchester.  This  great  religious  change,  is  said  to  have 
taken  place  when  Mr.  Summerfield  was  about  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  From  that  period,  he  became  a  zealous 
disciple  of  his  divine  Lord  and  Master,  and  continued  to 
evince  the  ardour  and  sincerity  of  his  religious  profession 
to  the  end  of  his  life — a  life  which  was  chequered  with 
more  than  an  ordinary  share  of  trials  and  vicissitudes, 
chiefly  arising  from  disappointments,  but  the  minute! 
details  of  which  would  be  here  entirely  out  of  place. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  17 

It  may,  however,  be  observed,  without  impropriety,  that 
William  Summerfield  was  one  of  those  men,  whose  san- 
guine temperaments,  and  projecting  minds,  are  more  likely 
to  lead  them  to  engage  in  plausible  speculations,  than  to 
incline  them  to  advance  their  fortunes  by  the  slow  process 
of  uninventive  assiduity.  Lancashire  was  at  this  time 
exhibiting  the  earlier  effects  of  that  daring  spirit  of  me- 
chanical enterprise,  which  has  almost,  as  it  were,  by  the 
power  of  machinery,  transplanted  successful  experimental- 
ists from  the  poverty  of  paupers  into  the  opulence  of 
princes.  Few  men  of  persevering  genius  and  common 
industry,  could  witness  what  was  then  taking  place  around 
them,  without  thinking  that  they  might,  nor  perhaps  in- 
deed without  feeling  that  they  ought  to,  attempt  the 
acluevement  of  some  such  envied  distinction. 

xifter  remaining  some  time  with  his  employers  in  Man- 
chester, William  Summerfield  removed,  with  his  family, 
to  Preston,  about  1797.  Here,  he  commenced  business  as 
an  engineer  and  ironfounder,  with  every  prospect  of  rising 
to  opulence.  He  was  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him,  both  as  a  tradesman,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Society  ;  in  connexion  with  which  body  he  now  acted 
as  a  local  preacher  :  he  was,  indeed,  particularly  distin- 
guished for  the  liveliness  of  his  faith,  his  continuing  instant 
in  prayer,  and  an  almost  unexampled  spirit  of  self-denial. 

After  experiencing  various  reverses  of  fortune,  arising 
partly  from  the  common  casualties  of  business,  and  partly 

b2 


18  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

from  being  outwitted  by  partners,  his  affairs,  at  a  time  when 
he  had  reason  to  think  himself  wealthy,  became  deranged  ; 
eo  that  on  the  breaking  up  of  an  establishment  and  con- 
nexion, upon  which  he  had  reasonably,  but  mistakenly,  re- 
posed his  all,  he  left  Preston,  and  after  residing  about  two 
years  in  Burslem,  Staffordshire,  and  a  short  time  in  Liver- 
pool, went  to  Ireland  in  1812,  where  he  successively  filled 
situations  of  trust  in  Dublin  and  Cork.  After  a  few  years, 
he  emigrated,  with  his  family,  to  New- York,  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  where  his  eldest  daughter  had  been 
some  time  settled,  with  her  husband,  Mr.  Blackstock,  a 
respectable  cotton-broker  in  that  city.  In  the  house  of  this 
exemplary  son-in-law,  where  he  had  long  found  a  home  ; 
and  soothed  by  the  affectionate  attention  of  all  his  sur- 
viving children,  he  expired,  the  victim  of  a  violent  dysen- 
tery, Sept.  19th,  1825,  aged  55.  As  his  life  had  been 
characterized  by  eminent  religious  profession,  so  his  death 
was  not  only  satisfactory,  but  in  the  estimation  of  his 
friends,  one  of  the  most  triumphant  ever  witnessed.  His 
sufferings,  during  the  last  twelve  hours,  were  exceedingly 
acute  ;  but  in  the  midst  of  these  most  trying  moments,  his 
faith  faltered  not — he  cried  out,  "  I  have  an  unshaken 
confidence."  His  frame  of  mind  for  several  days  before  his 
death,  was  happy  beyond  description — bringing,  in  the 
expressive  phrase  of  his  attendants,  "  heaven  upon  earth  !" 
A  few  nights  previous  to  his  departure,  his  daughter  Ame- 
lia was  awoke  by  his  talking  aloud  in  Ins  sleep,  as  with 
his  beloved  son,  John,  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  Be- 
ing  interrogated   on  the  subject,  he  replied,  John  and  he 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  19 

had  "  much  to  do  together."  To  the  foregoing  testimony, 
the  writer  of  these  pages  has  the  gratification  of  being 
enabled  to  add,  that  when  he  visited  Preston  in  1828,  he 
did  not  converse  with  a  single  individual,  who  did  not  accord 
a  prompt  acknowledgement  of  the  religious  character  and 
moral  worth  of  their  former  friend  and  townsman. 

Of  the  personal  accomplishments,  and  christian  experi- 
ence, of  his  mother,  I  am  unable  to  speak,  beyond  the 
general  fact  that  she  was  a  pious  woman.  She  died  in 
Liverpool,  whither  she  had  removed  for  the  benefit  of  her 
health,  on  the  9th  of  August,  1811  ;  leaving  writh  her 
friends  a  gratifying  assurance  that  in  her  departure  from  this 
life  she  was  gone  to  that  Jesus  whom  her  soul  loved.  Her 
remains  he  buried  in  St.  Paul's  church  yard,  in  that  town. 

William  and  Amelia  Summerfield  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children ;  five  sons,  and  four  daughters  ; — three  of 
whom  died  in  their  infancy. 

John,  the  subject  of  these  memoirs,  was  born  in  his 
father's  house,  at  Preston,  in  Lancashire,  January  31st, 
1798.  Previously  to"  the  birth  of  this  chilcj  his  father  has 
frequently  been  heard  to  say,  that  there  was  nothing  that 
he  desired  more  in  early  life,  than  that  he  should  have  a 
son ;  that  that  son  should  be  a  minister  of  the  gospel ;  and 
that  his  name  should  be  called  John.  And  truly,  as  he 
and  his  wife,  like  Zacharias  and  Elisabeth  of  old,  "  were 
both  righteous  before  God,  walking  in  all  the  command- 


20  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

ments  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless,"  so  likewise, 
his  prayer  was  heard — a  man-child  was  born ;  and  his 
father,  in  the  spirit  of  the  venerable  priest  of  Jerusalem, 
"  praised  God"  that  he  had  given  him  a  son.  And  it  is 
worthy  of  remark,  that  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  the 
babe,  his  father  solemnly  dedicated  him  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  How  far,  when,  in  after  life,  "he  was  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,"  he  imitated  his  evangelical  namesake,  in 
"  preaching  the  baptism  of  repentance  for  the  remission  of 
sins,"  resembling  him  as  he  did  in  being  dedicated  to  the  Lord 
"  even  from  the  womb,"  the  history  of  Ins  ministerial  life 
must  testify. 

John  was  an  exceedingly  interesting  and  amiable  child. 
At  five  years  of  age  he  was  sent  to  school,  where  he  had 
not  been  twelve  months,  before  he  was  accounted  the  best 
reader ;  and  his  mistress  was  so  proud  of  him,  that  she 
frequently  pointed  to  him  as  an  example  for  the  other 
children  to  imitate.  He  was  much  caressed  and  compli- 
mented by  strangers  as  well  as  friends  ;  and  his  manners 
were  so  pleasing  that  they  always  attracted  attention : 
yet  he  was  not  in  the  slightest  degree  a  spoiled  child  :  for 
however  muA  indulged,  it  appeared  to  have  no  bad  effect 
upon  him.  He  was  so  remarkably  sensitive,  that  he  could 
not  bear  to  see  his  brothers  or  sisters  corrected. 

When  about  six  years  old,  he  was  sent  with  his  sister, 
aged  about  eight,  to  a  pious  Methodist  lady,  who  kept  a 
school  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Blackpool,  about  twenty 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  21 

miles  from  home ;  this  was  the  first  time  they  had  been 
separated  from  their  parents,  and  was  the  occasion  of  much 
distress  to  his  sister  :  but  John,  who  had  not  only  a  happy 
method  of  restraining  his  own  feelings,  but  likewise  of 
administering  comfort  to  others,  addressed  her  in  a  style 
rather  of  manly  than  juvenile  consolation.  "  Ellen,"  he 
would  say,  when  his  sister  began  to  weep, — "Ellen,  I 
really  am  astonished  at  you ;  you  know  that  our  father 
sent  us  here  for  our  good  ;  but  if  you  fret  and  grieve  so, 
you  will  make  yourself  ill ;  and  then  you  won't  be  able  to 
learn  any  thing.  And  think  how  sorry  my  mother  would 
feel,  and  how  disappointed  she  would  be,  if  she  were  to 
know.  You  ought  to  be  more  of  a  woman ;  besides,  Mrs. 
Campbell  would  be  displeased,  should  she  see  you."  Such 
were  the  reasonings  of  the  child,  whose  engaging  manners 
made  him  almost  the  idol  of  the  family  :  and  when  Mrs. 
C.  was  at  prayer,  he  would  clasp  his  little  hands,  and  de- 
voutly respond  "  Amen  !" 

On  leaving  Mrs.  C,  with  whom  he  had  made  considera- 
ble progress,  he  was  placed  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Berry,  an 
approved  master  in  Preston :  for  him  he  entertained  a  very 
high  regard,  although  he  was  extremely  rigid.  Mr.  B. 
pronounced  him,  on  entering  the  school,  the  best  gram- 
marian he  had  ever  met  with,  for  his  years.  Here  he 
held  a  most  respectable  rank  in  the  various  classes ;  though 
it  was  remarked  that  he  hardly  studied  at  all,  during  the 
intervals  of  school  hours.  At  this  period,  he  was  exces- 
sively fond  of  play  ;  indeed,  he  was  so  entirely  devoted  to 


22  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

recreation,  that  from  the  time  he  left  school,  generally  about 
5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  he  rarely  opened  his  books, 
until  within  about  half  an  hour  of  school-time  in  the 
morning,  when  he  would  begin  to  make  preparation.  His 
manner  of  committing  his  tasks  to  memory,  in  so  short  a 
time,  was  somewhat  singular : — he  would  lay  himself 
down  in  the  cradle,  and  with  liis  feet  over  the  sides,  would 
set  it  a-going  at  full  swing ;  he  would  then  apply  himself 
to  his  lessons  with  the  greatest  eagerness  ;  after  he  had 
gone  over  them  a  few  times  in  this  way,  he  would  spring 
up,  and  hasten  to  school,  reciting,  as  he  went,  the  tasks  he 
was  expected  to  repeat.  His  mother  would  frequently  tell 
him,  that  she  was  afraid  to  see  or  hear  from  Mr.  Berry,  who 
might  have  a  bad  account  to  give  of  him,  as  he  was  so 
negligent  with  regard  to  his  studies.  The  accounts,  how- 
ever, received  of  him,  were  most  gratifying ;  and  his 
teachers  declared,  that  such  was  his  aptitude  for  learning, 
that  he  cost  them  very  little  trouble. 

This  towardness  of  disposition  was  so  satisfactory  to 
his  father,  that  he  was  determined  to  spare  no  expense  in 
giving  him  a  good  education.  With  a  wise  regard  to  the 
value  of  religious  instruction  in  connexion  with  scholastic 
discipline,  he  was  sent  to  the  celebrated  seminary  at  Fair- 
field, an  extensive  Moravian  establishment,  about  four 
miles  from  Manchester.  The  master  of  the  school  at  that 
period,  was  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Ramftler,  who  was  likewise  the 
resident  minister  ;  under  this  gentleman,  young  Summer- 
field  not  only  made  considerable  progress  in  the  classics, 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  23 

and  other  branches  of  education,  but  received  those  religious 
impressions,  which  it  is  probable  were  never  wholly  oblite- 
rated from  his  conscience.  In  this  school,  too,  he  was 
generally  beloved ;  and  was  especially  a  favourite  with  the 
Moravian  Bishop  Moore,  then  residing  at  Fairfield.  This 
venerable  prelate  used  to  have  delight  in  hearing  the  amia- 
ble tyro  recite  religious  pieces  in  prose  and  verse  :  this 
distinction  was  carried  so  far,  that  he  was  even  selected  to 
give  these  recitations  in  the  chapel,  a  practice  which,  as  it 
has  not  been  repeated,  shows,  at  least,  the  estimation  in 
which  he  was  held  by  the  worthy  superiors  in  that  estab- 
lishment. He  remained  in  this  delightful  retreat  nearly 
five  years,  when  he  was  abruptly  taken  away  in  conse- 
quence of  his  father's  misfortunes,  in  December,  1809. 

During  the  vacations  of  Midsummer  and  Christmas,  up 
to  this  period,  when  lie  returned  home,  his  company  was 
sought,  and  he  was  caressed  by  the  heads  of  several  of 
the  first  families  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Burslem  ;  being 
treated  more  like  an  equal  than  a  mere  boy,  by  those  of 
his  seniors,  who  held  him  up  as  an  example  for  youth, 
much  older  than  himself,  to  emulate.  His  memory  was 
remarkably  tenacious,  and  this,  in  connexion  with  his 
powers  for  recitation,  before  alluded  to,  rendered  him  a  very 
desirable  companion,  with  his  fund  of  entertaining  pieces, 
grave  as  well  as  humorous. 

The  following  anecdote,  as  it  exhibits  the  filial  piety, 
and  precocious  talents  of  this  interesting  boy,  may  be  ap- 


24  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

propriately  introduced  here. — In  the  year  1810,  at  the 
time  when  Mr.  William  Summerfield's  embarrassments 
were  extremely  distressing,  and  the  nature  of  which  led 
to  the  employment  of  John  in  various  ways,  a  thought 
struck  the  intelligent  lad,  that  it  was  possible  for  him  so 
to  redeem  a  portion  of  his  time,  as  to  enable  him  to  open 
a  night  school.  With  him,  even  at  this  early  age,  to  de- 
vise and  to  execute  were  the  same  :  the  attempt  was 
made;  the  school  was  opened;  and  many  young  men, 
twice  as  old  as  himself,  presented  themselves,  so  that  he 
had  soon  more  applications  than  he  could  receive.  The 
school  was  continued  until  his  removal  to  Liverpool,  when 
he  parted  with  his  pupils,  amid  their  sincere  regrets.  It 
is  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  proceeds  of  this  school 
were  religiously  handed  over  to  his  mother. 

At  this  period,  he  seems  to  have  cherished  that  spark  of 
religious  feeling,  and  to  have  maintained  the  distinctness 
of  those  divine  impressions,  of  which  he  had  been  the 
subject  at  Fairfield.  It  was,  moreover,  his  practice  to  spend 
much  time  (his  friends  say  "  whole  weeks")  in  retirement, 
for  the  purposes  of  study  and  meditation  ;  exhibiting 
herein,  a  faint  and  juvenile  emulation  of  the  holy  conduct 
of  the  celebrated  non-conformist  divine,  Isaac  Ambrose, 
once  the  minister  of  Preston,  and  whose  custom  it  was, 
once  a  year,  to  retire  into  a  hut,  in  a  neighbouring  wood, 
and  there  spend  a  month  in  religious  contemplation. 

As  already  stated,  Mrs.    Summcrfield  died   in    1811. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  26 

John,  tb^en  in  his  thirteenth  year,  accompanied  this  beloved 
parent  to  Liverpool,  whither  she  had  gone  for  the  benefit 
of  the  sea  air  ;  and  he  was  the  only  child  that  was  with 
her  during  the  last  four  months  of  her  illness.  The  cir- 
cumstance of  her  death  peculiarly  impressed  his  mind, 
and  he  often  dwelt  upon  the  subject — especially  in  after 
life,  when  he  hardly  ever  spoke  of  the  glorified  throng  in 
heaven,  without  naming  his  mother.  This  wealthy, 
interesting}  and  thriving  town,  which  had  afforded  a  grave 
to  his  mother,  now  became  the  residence  of  her  son ;  and 
here,  before  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  he  filled  the  situation 
of  clerk  in  a  mercantile  establishment,  being  principally 
employed  in  managing  a  French  correspondence,  the  prin- 
cipal being  himself  unacquainted  with  the  foreign  lan- 
guages. He  was  an  excellent  book-keeper  and  account- 
ant, and  was  prized  and  retained  in  this  situation  until  the 
failure  of  the  house. 

It  was  about  this  time,  that  young  Summerfield  had  a 
remarkable  dream,  to  which  he  has  frequently  been  known 
to  advert  in  after  life;  it  is  however  mentioned  here,  not  as 
otherwise  important,  than  as  showing,  with  perhaps  the 
ordinary  exaggeration  arising  from  the  effect  of  sleep,  the 
tenor  and  tendency  of  his  waking  thoughts.  One  night, 
after  he  had  been  some  time  in  bed,  his  sister  was  alarmed 
by  an  uncommon  noise  which  he  made  ;  at  this  time,  he 
was  subject  to  the  cramp  ;  but  contrary  to  expectation, 
when  his  sister  entered  his  room,  he  was  fast  asleep,  yet 
appeared  very  restless,  and  >is  countenance  was  much 
c 


26  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

agitated.  She  awoke  him,  and  inquired  what  was  the 
matter ;  he  replied,  "  did  I  disturb  you  ?  It  was  not  the 
cramp  :  I'll  tell  you,  Ellen,  all  about  it,  in  the  morning." 
The  next  day,  he  was  very  anxious  to  know  every  parti- 
cular relative  to  the  disturbance  which  had  caused  the 
alarm.  "  Ah  !"  said  he,  "  it  was  a  terrifying  dream ! 
when  I  made  that  noise,  and  exhibited  that  struggle,  I 
thought  Satan  had  laid  hold  upon  me." — Said  he,  "I  found 
a  beaten  track,  in  which  great  numbers  of  persons  were 
walking  ;  I  therefore  resolved  to  mingle  with  the  crowd, 
and  ascertain  the  meaning  of  all  this.  After  some  time, 
I  discovered  what  I  took  to  be  the  termination  of  my  wan- 
derings, yet  I  could  not  see  any  particular  object  of  attrac- 
tion, although  many  appeared  to  be  worshipping  some- 
thing which  I  could  not  perceive  :  however,  on  a  nearer 
approach,  I  found  the  object  of  adoration  to  be  no  other 
than  Satan  himself,  surrounded  by  a  prostrate  multitude. 
I  immediately  looked  round,  for  some  way  by  which  I 
might  escape,  determining  that  J  would  not  bend  the  knee  : 
I  at  last  discovered  a  narrow  and  winding  stairway,  the 
ascent  of  which  was  very  high  and  steep,  yet  I  was  re- 
solved to  ascend,  although  I  had  to  pass  by  Satan  to  reach 
the  stairs.  I  mounted  with  great  rapidity  ;  the  windings 
became  more  and  more  difficult,  and  my  course  was  much 
impeded  ;  with  breathless  anxiety,  I  took  one  look  back, 
and  finding  I  was  pursued,  and  almost  within  the  very 
grasp  of  the  enemy,  I  made  one  desperate  effort,  by  which 
I  escaped,  and  immediately  awoke." 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  27 

No  part  of  his  correspondence  with  his  family,  or  others, 
at  this  period,  has  been  preserved — at  least,  none  has 
been  forthcoming.  In  the  absence,  however,  of  such  do- 
cumentary evidence  as  his  own  letters,  it  is  certain  that  he 
indulged,  to  the  utmost  of  his  means,  that  thirst  for  infor- 
mation, by  which  he  had  always  been  distinguished, 
especially  a  taste  for  oratory,  which,  having  been  implanted 
with  his  early  habits,  he  sought  every  opportunity  of 
gratifying,  by  hearing  the  best  speakers,  whether  in  the 
pulpit,  at  the  bar,  or  even  in  popular  assemblies:  amongst 
the  former,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Spencer,  whose  popularity 
was  at  that  time  the  ascendant  attraction  in  Liverpool,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  one  of  the  chief  pulpit  favourites 
of  our  young  aspirant 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTION  II. 

Removal  to  Dublin — -falls  into  dissipated  habits — occasional 
contrition — correspondence  with  Dr.  Raffles — thinks  of  en- 
tering the  ministry  among  the  dissenters — goes  into  business 
— -fresh  irregularities — attends  the  courts  of  laic. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1812,  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield  removed,  with  his  family,  to  Dublin.  On  tlieir 
settlement  in  that  city,  John  evinced  no  disposition  to  pur- 
sue any  kind  of  business  or  profession.  It  is  somewhat 
remarkable  that  his  associates,  from  this  time,  until  he 
became  religious  in  the  true  sense  of  the  term,  were 
generally  persons  from  10  to  20  years  older  than  himself : 
indeed,  he  had  no  companions  in  youth  of  his  own  age ; 
and  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  features  in  his  charac- 
ter, consisted  in  the  fluency  and  ability  with  which  he 
could  converse  on  subjects,  seldom  attended  to  by  one 
of  his  years.  At  15  he  seemed  to  possess  the  experience 
of  a  person  advanced  in  life ;  an  uncommon  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  and  the  rare  talent  of  describing  whatever 
he  had  heard,  or  seen,  in  the  most  interesting  manner. 

These  qualities,  with  a  large  fund  of  anecdote,  and  a 
rare  facetiousness,  together  with  a  disposition  the  most  ac- 
commodating, probably,  however,  conduced  to  his  chief 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  29 

misfortunes.  His  warm  heart,  which  was  truly  formed 
for  friendship,  could  rarely  withstand  the  fervour  of  solici- 
tation. So  ready  was  he  to  serve  his  friends,  that  he  would 
frequently,  for  acts  of  kindness  towards  others,  perform 
*  acts  of  indiscretion  toward  himself,  which  as  frequently 
led  him  into  difficulties. 

His  extreme  sensibility  was  such,  that  a  plaintive  appeal 
was  generally  irresistible  ;  it  would  call  forth  all  his  ener- 
gies ;  and  sometimes  he  has  had  the  mortification  to  dis- 
cover, that  his  kindness  had  been,  at  least,  ill  timed,  and  fre- 
quently, as  just  intimated,  accompanied  by  serious  disad- 
vantage to  himself.  To  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  complaints 
of  the  distressed,  was  quite  out  of  the  question  with  John 
Summerfield ;  if  his  time,  or  his  talents,  were  in  requisi- 
tion, they  were  bestowed  with  an  ardour  bordering  on 
enthusiasm :  was  pecuniary  assistance  required  ?  it  was 
never  withheld,  if  in  his  power  to  communicate.  On  one 
of  these  occasions,  he  was  called  upon  by  a  petitioner  in 
distress  ;  but  alas  !  his  means  were  exhausted  ; — after  a 
moment's  deliberation,  he  left  the  person,  requesting  him 
to  wait  till  his  return :  going  home,  he  found  the  silver 
spoons  laid  upon  the  dinner  table ;  these  he  removed,  toge- 
ther with  what  tea  spoons  he  could  collect,  presented  the 
whole  to  the  person  in  distress,  whom  he  had  known  when 
in  affluent  circumstances,  as  an  individual  by  whom  his 
father  had  lost  considerable  sums  of  money. 

The   company  with  whom  he  at  this  time  mingled, 
c2 


30  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

caused  him  to  be  much  from  home,  spending  his  time  at 
the  theatre,  the  billiard  room,  or  the  card  table;  most 
frequently  the  latter.  This  infatuating  species  of  vice 
so  captivated  his  mind,  that  by  practice,  he  became  quite 
an  adept,  and  was  led  on  by  degrees,  to  emulate  the  more 
adventurous  by  playing  a  high  game.  It  may  well  be  con- 
ceived that  these  irregularities  were  sources  of  indescriba- 
ble anguish  to  his  father  and  family,  who  frequently 
laboured  under  the  most  dreadful  apprehensions,  not 
knowing  where  such  things  might  end. 

Remorse  of  conscience  always  followed  a  season  of  dis- 
sipation :  and  then  his  sufferings  were  almost  beyond  en- 
durance. On  these  occasions,  he  would  remain  closeted 
for  weeks  together,  engaged,  not  only  in  his  studies,  which 
were  intense,  but  in  daily  lamenting,  with  heart-rending 
fervour,  his  transgressions ;  seven  times  a  day,  has  he  been 
known  to  prostrate  himself  with  his  face  to  the  ground,  im- 
ploring the  divine  forgiveness  for  his  manifold  sins  !  His 
distress  of  mind,  on  account  of  disobedience  to  his  parent, 
was  often  almost  more  than  he  could  bear.  It  was  during 
these  lucid  intervals  of  compunction  and  penitence,  that 
his  father's  bruised  hopes  of  ultimately  seeing  his  son  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  used  to  revive ;  and  had  he  not 
been  a  man  of  uncommonly  strong  faith,  there  were  cir- 
cumstances existing  at  this  period  abundantly  sufficient  to 
have  disheartened  him — indeed,  to  have  destroyed  the  con- 
fidence of  most  other  men  :  yet  he  remained  firm  in  the 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  31 

belief  that  his  prayers  would  be  answered  concerning  his 
son. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  that  young  Suinmerfield, 
while  in  Liverpool,  was  an  occasional  attendant  on  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Spencer.  On  the  publication 
of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Raffles's  interesting  "  Life  of  Spencer," 
a  copy  of  the  work  was  sent,  by  a  friend,  to  our  young 
prodigal  in  Dublin ; — he  read  it  with  great  interest ;  and 
feeling  his  heart  yearn  towards  the  sacred  profession,  and 
experiencing  at  the  same  time  a  strong  desire  to  return  to 
England,  he  resolved  to  open  a  correspondence  with  the 
author,  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  admission  into  the  academy 
of  the  Dissenters  at  Hoxton.  Through  the  kindness  of 
Dr.  Raffles,  the  first  letter  on  this  subject,  in  the  autograph 
of  Summerfield,  lies  before  me  : — 

"  Dublin,  Grand  Canal  Dock, 

Hanover  Quay,  Jan.  7,  1814. 
"  Reverend  Sir, 

"I  am  at  length  induced  by  the  repeated  solicitations 
of  a  few  of  my  more  particular  friends,  to  address  you 
upon  a  subject,  which,  of  all  others,  is  the  most  weighty. 

"  My  name  is  utterly  unknown  to  you,  as  well  as  my 
person  ;  though  I  am  well  acquainted  with  both  these  in 
yourself. 

"  From  my  earliest  infancy,  I  have  had  it  in  contempla- 


32  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

tion  to  become  an  ambassador  for  Christ ;  and  of  late,  this 
has  been  kindled  in  me  to  a  degree,  so  as  not  to  leave  a 
doubt  in  my  mind,  but  that  my  prayers  to  God  to  open  my 
way,  are  now  answering.  The  other  week,  a  friend  sent 
me  your  'Life  of  Spencer,'  from  Liverpool:  and  I  have  read 
it  with  such  delight,  that  it  has  tended  more  than  any 
thing  to  increase  the  spark  already  kindling.  I  am  but 
18*  years  of  age,  not  yet  quite  accomplished,  and  my 
youth  would  be  the  chief  hinderance  to  my  resolution 
of  addressing  you,  had  not  my  friends  encouraged  me  to 
write  you  freely,  being  so  perfectly  satisfied  of  your 
christian  temper  and  candour,  that  if  you  gave  me  nothing 
to  hope  in  my  application,  it  would  not  be  taken  amiss. 

"  As  this  is  the  first  communication,  (though  I  trust  it 
may  be  suffered  to  be  continued, — yet  being  uncertain, 
and  the  event  in  embryo,)  I  do  not  write  fully,  any  farther 
than  to  say,  that  the  tenets  professed  by  the  church  of 
which  you  are  the  present  supporter  and  guide,  do  most 
coincide  with  my  ideas  and  belief  in  the  revelation  of  God 
by  Ins  Son. — I  have  had  a  very  liberal  education  ;  having 
been  brought  up  at  Fairfield  academy,  near  Manchester, 
among  that  worthy  people,  the  Moravians  ;  and  my  father, 
having  apparently  intended  me  for  the  church,  spared  no 
expense  to  render  my  education  fit  for  the  purpose.  But 
as  I  cannot  give  my  mind  to  that  church,  for  many  rea- 

*  Sic  in  orig. — but  it  is  certainly  a  slip  cf  the  pen — it  should 
be  16. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  33 

sons,  I  would  be  more  willing  to  list  under  the  banners  of 
your  church ;  though  God  knows,  it  is  in  effect  the  same 
as  theirs,  being  all  warriors  for  Christ.  I  enclose  this  in  a 
letter  to  my  friends  in  Liverpool,  to  be  forwarded  to  you, 
being  ignorant  of  your  address. 

"  You  will  see  how  to  address  me,  at  the  head  of  tins ; 
and  I  would  entreat  your  answer,  if  so  much  of  your  pre- 
cious time  can  be  devoted  to  answer  so  unworthy  a  ser- 
vant ;  but  though  unworthy,  not  the  more  unwelcome. 

"  I  would  wish  to  begin  my  race  early,  rim  it  with  joy, 
and  end  it  with  glory. 

"  This  communication  is  with  my  father's  approbation, 
■ — a  gentleman  in  moderate  circumstances,  whose  highest 
wish  it  is  to  see  his  son  settled  in  his  course. 
"  Believe  me,  Reverend  Sir, 
"  yours,  most  respectfully  and  devotedly, 

J.  SUMMERFIELD." 
The  Reverend  Thomas  Raffles,  Liverpool. 

The  following  letter,  apparently  in  reply  to  the  fore- 
going, was  written,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  date,  about 
three  months  after  it — there  had  probably,  however,  been 
an  intermediate  communication  : — 

"  Liverpool,  March  28th,  1814. 
"  Do  not  imagine,  my  dear  sir,  that  because  I  have  not 


34  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

been  so  quick  as  you  might  wish,  and  as  I  have  desired  to 
be,  in  my  reply  to  your  communication,  in  which  you 
stated  so  much  at  length  your  feelings  and  your  views, 
that  I  have  forgotten  you,  or  that  I  take  no  interest  in  your 
affairs.  The  fact  is,  that  I  have  been  waiting  for  a  favour- 
able opportunity  of  writing  you  pretty  much  at  length,  but 
owing  to  the  extreme  press  of  official  business,  I  have  not 
been  able. 

"  You  can  form  no  conception  of  the  labours  of  a  Pas- 
tor, who  has  two  thousand  souls  committed  to  his  care. 
Even  now,  I  steal  half  an  hour  from  rest,  for  the  purpose 
of  communing  with  my  friends  ;  and  I  cannot  prevail  upon 
myself  to  retire,  though  exhausted  nature  demands  repose, 
till  I  have,  by  a  few  lines,  relieved  the  anxiety  of  your 
mind. 

"  I  have  been  out  of  town,  into  Wales,  which  is  the 
cause  of  my  not  having  answered  your  letter  till  now.  I 
am  very  happy  now  to  find  that  you  have  a  design  to 
visit  Liverpool ;  I  can  talk  to  you  upon  the  interesting  sub- 
ject of  our  correspondence,  and  say  more  to  you,  and  hear 
more  from  you,  in  one  hour,  than  could  transpire  in  twenty 
letters. 

"  Have  you  friends  in  Liverpool  ?  I  am  sorry  that  I 
have  no  house  to  invite  you  to.  I  am  but  a  bachelor,  and 
consequently  a  lodger.  I  hope  you  will  come  either  before 
or  after  the  month  of  May,  as  during  that  month  I  expect 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  35 

to  be  in  London.  I  should  rather  it  was  after  May,  as  in 
the  ensuing  month,  I  have  no  less  than  three  journies  to 
make,  by  which,  of  course,  my  time  will  be  very  much 
consumed — besides  much  other  business  which  will  absorb 
my  whole  attention. 

"  I  should  like,  when  you  are  here,  to  enjoy  much  of  your 
society;  and  this,  at  present,  I  fear  I  should  not  be  able  to 
do.  I  forbear,  in  the  prospect  of  an  interview,  which  your 
letter  promises,  to  enter  now  into  any  further  particulars 
respecting  your  views  of  the  ministry — and  praying  you 
to  maintain  a  spirit  of  self-examination,  watchfulness,  and 
diligence,  with  best  respects  to  your  friends, 
u  yours,  very  faithfully, 

"THOMAS  RAFFLES." 

The  two  foregoing  letters  are  given  entire,  because  they 
constitute  the  material  evidence  of  a  very  interesting  move- 
ment in  the  mind — and  the  solicitation  for  an  arrangement, 
which,  had  it  taken  place,  might  have  been  of  the  last 
importance  in  the  life  of  Summerfield.  Upon  the  proba- 
ble issue  of  events,  had  the  desire  he  then  felt  been  con- 
summated, it  would  now  be,  at  least,  idle  to  speculate. 
One  question,  however,  naturally  suggests  itself,  and  which 
it  will  be  neither  difficult  nor  improper  to  settle — namely, 
whether  the  negotiations  alluded  to,  were  terminated 
voluntarily  or  otherwise  on  the  part  of  the  petitioner. 
Whatever  other  letters  might  be  written  on  tins  subject — 
and  others  undoubtedly  there  were — the  two  above  cited 


36  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

are  obviously  the  first  and  the  last  that  passed  between 
the  parties ;  and  whether  or  not  the  intermediate  ones 
contained  any  more  distinct  overtures  from  either  side, 
cannot  be  ascertained.  If  it  should  be  thought  that  Mr. 
Raffles's  communication  holds  out  but  little  encouragement 
to  the  youthful  applicant ;  and  that  the  stretching  forth  a 
little  further  the  hand  of  ministerial  affection,  might  have 
brought  a  valuable  recruit  into  the  ranks  of  the  Dissenters  ; 
— it  must,  at  the  same  time,  be  recollected,  that  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield's  solicitation,  although  signed  with  his  name,  and 
to  a  certain  extent  accredited,  was  virtually  anonymous : 
and  for  the  pastor  of  a  large  church,  thus  to  be  expected 
promptly  to  extend  his  patronage,  in  a  matter  of  so  much 
delicacy,  to  an  entire  stranger,  was  in  the  abstract  unrea- 
sonable. Besides,  under  these  circumstances,  the  lan- 
guage of  courtesy,  and  the  proposal  of  an  interview  on 
the  part  of  Mr.  Raffles,  fairly  entitle  his  conduct  herein,  to 
ihe  character  of  that  of  delicate  and  judicious  encourage- 
ment. Thus  much  is  plainly  deducible  from  the  document 
alone  ;  and  if  there  was  no  other  evidence,  the  legitimate 
inference  would  be,  either  that  Summerfield  retracted  from 
discouragement,  or  that  he  changed  his  mind.  His  own 
testimony,  from  a  letter,  written  after  his  conversion,  to  a 
religious  friend,  appears  to  settle  the  question.  Speaking 
of  the  sanguine  hopes  he  once  entertained  in  prospect  of 
this  settlement, — he  adds  : — "  Filial  duty,  however,  pre- 
vented, on  my  father's  remonstrance,  which  arose  from  the 
doctrines  taught  by  many  of  that  body,  as  to  election,  &c. ; 
consequently  I  gave  up  the  idea."     Few  persons,  at  all 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  37 

acquainted  with  either  the  father  or  the  son,  would  doubt 
their  sincerity  in  this  reason :  fewer  still,  it  may  be  pre- 
sumed, of  those  who  witnessed  Summerfield's  fall  into  new 
dissipations,  would  rejoice  that  they  should  have  prevailed. 
At  the  same  time,  many  things,  not  necessary  to  be  specified 
here,  must  have  been  attended  to  before  he  could  have  been 
admitted  into  a  Dissenter's  Academy.  He  evidently  had 
not  the  religious  experience  required  of  candidates,  what- 
ever his  doctrinal  notions  might  have  been. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  agony  which  he  occasionally 
felt  for  his  past  misconduct;  and  his  frequent  intervals  of 
resolution  and  reform,  he  was  repeatedly  tempted  into 
courses  of  dissipation.  He  became  extravagantly  fond  of 
theatrical  amusements  ;  and  having  no  regular  employ- 
ment, he  delighted  in  attending  whole  days  in  the  courts 
of  justice,  and  in  visiting  public  institutions.  He  would 
leave  home  for  weeks  together,  visiting  London  and  other 
places,  with  the  view  of  gaining  information — his  family 
sometimes  having  no  idea  where  he  was.  As  already 
intimated,  his  admiration  of  oratory  was  excessive  :  and 
he  would  lose  no  opportunity  of  hearing  eminent  speakers. 
It  was  all  one  to  him,  whether  they  were  to  be  found  in 
the  pulpit,  at  the  bar,  in  the  senate,  or  on  the  stage.  When 
necessity  compelled  him  to  return  home,  he  would  shut 
himself  up  in  his  chamber  ;  and  during  these  fits  of  seclu- 
sion, such  was  his  thirst  for  knowledge,  that  he  made  a 
point  of  rising  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  after  which 

D 


38  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

he  frequently  remained  at  his  studies,  without  interruption 
until  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  taking,  during  the  interme- 
diate sixteen  hours,  only  two  or  three  cups  of  coffee  ! 

This  irregular  and  intense  application,  was,  without 
doubt,  seriously  injurious  to  his  constitution  ;  and  he  had 
at  times  a  very  emaciated  appearance,  arising  from  mental 
labour,  close  confinement,  and  great  distress  of  mind,  on 
account  of  his  past  misconduct. 

Young  as  he  was,  his  father  now  began  to  feel  a  wish 
to  establish  him  in  some  business — and  selected,  very 
unpromisingly,  as  most  persons  will  think,  the  Coal 
Trade.  In  this  ungenial  concern,  he  was  associated  with 
another  individual,  more  experienced  than  himself.  Pros- 
pects of  profit  had  no  influence  with  Summerfield,  to 
induce  his  certainly  elegant  mind  to  accommodate  itself  to 
the  language  of  the  wharf,  or  calculations  by  the  chaldron. 
Instead,  therefore,  of  being  found  at  the  quay,  or  in  the 
counting  house,  he  gave  his  attention  to  neither,  but  would 
shut  himself  up  in  his  study,  or  absent  himself  from  home 
altogether.  Such  misconduct  was  followed  by  its  natural 
consequences.  The  unsettled  kind  of  life  which  he  still 
continued  to  lead,  frequently  incurred  his  father's  displea- 
sure ;  and  this  conduct  was  aggravated,  by  his  promises 
of  reform,  which  were  not  more  frequently  made  than 
they  were  broken,  so  that  his  derelictions  became  intolera- 
ble.    This  total  neglect  of  business,  and  the  concomitant 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  39 

money  losses,  led  him  to  the  exercise  of  a  facile,  and  but 
too  often  practised  an  expedient,  for  the  relief  of  his  present 
difficulties :  he  was  induced  to  indorse  paper  acceptances, 
for  those  whom  he  conceived  to  be  his  friends.  This  in- 
volved him  in  responsibilities,  which  he  could  not  meet, 
and  not  only  brought  poverty  and  distress  into  his 
family,  but  ultimate  ruin  upon  himself. — As  the  climax 
of  his  degradation,  he  was  thrown  into  the  Marshalsea  of 
Dublin. 

Here  a  new  theatre  for  the  exercise  of  his  ingenuity 
was  presented ;  having  a  tolerable  stock  of  legal  know- 
ledge, he  employed  himself  for  his  fellows  in  confinement, 
in  drawing  up  the  necessary  memorials  for  those  who  were 
seeking  their  enlargement  under  the  provisions  of  the  In- 
solvent act.  Whatever  an  attorney  could  do  in  this 
respect,  was  easy  to  Summerfield ;  and  the  cases  which 
he  undertook  to  manage,  being  generally  successful,  his 
practice  in  this  way  became  considerable,  and  continued 
even  after  his  own  liberation.  His  necessities  compelled 
him  to  make  a  regular  charge,  so  that  he  derived  from 
this  source  a  considerable  income.  In  drawing  up  a  peti- 
tion, on  any  subject,  he  had  acquired  a  facility  that  was 
astonishing  :  he  would  commence,  and  continue  to  the 
end  of  the  document,  almost  without  a  moment's  hesita- 
tion, and  rarely  with  a  single  interlineation.  In  this  re- 
spect, he  was  singularly  gifted,  as  his  letters  and  other 
compositions  evince ;  for  seldom  had  he  occasion  to  alter 


40  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

or  erase  a  word  ;  and  it  may  be  added,  that,  in  after  life 
especially,  he  wrote  a  neat  and  elegant  hand,  with  great 
rapidity  and  evenness. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  not  surprising  that  he 
should  have  felt  a  strong  inclination  towards  the  study  of  the 
law.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  as  before  stated,  he  was  wont 
to  spend  days  together  in  the  courts  in  Dublin,  where  he 
has  frequently  heard  causes  tried  from  beginning  to  end,  as 
well  for  murder,  as  for  other  crimes.  After  attending  to 
the  testimony  of  the  various  witnesses,  with  as  much 
anxiety  as  if  he  were  engaged  as  counsel,  he  would 
closely  estimate  all  the  bearings  of  the  case,  and  with 
boyish  enthusiasm,  has  been  heard  to  say,  "  O,  how  I 
should  like  to  sum  up  !" 

On  one  occasion,  he  was  in  attendance  before  one  of 
the  courts  of  justice,  in  Dublin,  as  an  important  witness 
against  a  person  who  was  seeking  to  take  the  benefit  of 
the  Insolvent  Act.  He  was  examined,  and  most  rigidly 
cross-examined  by  an  eminent  lawyer  ;  but  to  puzzle 
him  appeared  impossible  :  he  was  able  to  recollect,  without 
any  memoranda,  the  dates  of  a  vast  number  of  pay- 
ments and  receipts,  sales  and  purchases — pounds,  shil- 
lings, and  pence,  with  such  exactness  that  it  astonished 
the  whole  court.  On  this  occasion,  the  judge  paid  him 
a  high  compliment :  "  Pray  sir,"  said  his  lordship,  "what 
is  your  profession  ?" — "  I  am  in  no  profession,  my  Lord/' 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  41 

answered  Summerfield.  "  No  profession,  no  profession, 
Sir  V — "  No,  my  Lord."  The  judge  then  said  something 
to  the  following  effect : — "  Well,  sir,  I  have  never  heard  a 
witness  within  the  walls  of  these  courts,  give  his  testimony 
in  a  more  clear,  correct,  and  satisfactory  manner,  than  you 
have  done.  Depend  upon  it,  you'll  one  day  or  other  be  a 
shining  character  in  the  world." 
d2 


42  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTION  III. 

His  conversion — attends  prayer-meetings — verses  to  the  Rev. 
P.  and  Mrs.  French — interesting  letter  to  his  class-leader. 

The  shrewd  and  generous  prediction  of  the  Irish  judge, 
just  cited,  was  destined  to  be  fulfilled  within  a  few  months 
after  it  was  uttered — though  certainly  in  the  way  least 
anticipated  by  the  legal  prophet.  Summerfield  was  now 
nineteen  years  of  age,  the  last  four  of  which  had  been 
spent  in  the  desultory  manner  already  noticed.  The  time, 
however,  was  now  approaching,  when  the  Lord  was  about 
to  give  the  distressed  and  praying  father  to  see  the  fulfil- 
ment of  his  most  anxious  desires,  in  the  conversion  of  his 
son — and  moreover,  in  seeing  a  double  portion,  even  of  the 
spirit  of  a  prophet,  rest  upon  him.  This  great  gospel 
change,  it  will  be  seen,  was  not  effected  by  any  slow  or 
uncertain  process  ;  much  less,  under  such  circumstances 
as  to  leave  it,  for  sometime,  a  doubtful  case,  whether  or 
not  his  new  character  might  originate  in  the  mere  reforma- 
tion of  sentiment  and  manners.  His  conversion,  indeed, 
was  at  once  signal  and  scriptural,  and  in  its  proximate 
circumstances  little  agreeing  with  the  notions  of  those, 
who,  as  he  used  to  remark,  fancied  "  that  John  Summer- 
field  would  have  been  converted  like  a  gentleman  !" 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  43 

In  the  year  1817,  he  was  brought  to  reflect  seriously  on 
his  past  life,  and  on  the  conduct  he  was  then  pursuing. 
He  saw  clearly  that  he  was  the  cause  of  the  distress  to 
which  his  father  was  reduced ;  and  his  own  prospects  in 
life  appeared  at  the  same  time  awfully  gloomy :  these 
reflections  had  a  dreadful  effect  upon  his  mind,  and  he 
experienced  lashings  of  conscience  too  terrible  for  endu- 
rance. Instead  of  seeking  or  finding  relief  in  prayer,  he 
felt  himself  a  reprobate  before  God,  and  was  more  than 
once  tempted  to  commit  suicide.  He  found  no  resting 
place,  amidst  the  "  mire  and  clay"  into  which  Satan  had 
brought  his  feet,  and  saw  no  escape  from  the  "  horrible 
pit"  of  his  own  despair. 

In  this  state  of  mental  agony,  he  was  one  day  wander- 
ing about  in  the  streets  of  Dublin,  weeping  bitterly,  when 
he  was  noticed  and  accosted  by  a  pious  man,  by  trade  an 
edge-tool  maker,  who,  with  the  tact  of  a  Methodist,  and 
the  simplicity  of  a  saint,  ascertained  his  state,  and  endea- 
voured to  comfort  him — at  the  same  time  inviting  him  to 
his  house,  or  rather  to  his  cellar,  where  he  was  about  to 
hold  a  prayer  meeting.  The  party  assembled,  consisted 
chiefly  of  soldiers  from  the  barracks  :  prayer  was  offered 
by  the  different  persons  in  turn,  and  the  case  of  the  provi- 
dential interloper,,  was  specially  presented  before  Him, 
with  whom  "  the  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous 
man  availeth  much ;"  and  such  was  the  fervour  of  the 
good  leader,  and  the  soldiers,  and  so  sincere  the  contrition 


44  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

and  supplication  of  the  penitent,  that  he  that  very  night 
found  peace  to  his  soul. 

Having  found  such  a  blessing  amongst  these  poor  sol- 
diers, he  became  much  attached  to  them,  and  resolved,  if 
possible,  to  make  them  some  return  of  kindness,  for  what 
they  had  done  for  him.  On  inquiry,  he  ascertained  that 
their  situation  at  the  barracks  was  by  no  means  comforta- 
ble, being  perpetually  ridiculed  and  insulted  by  wicked 
men  in  the  regiment.  Hearing  this,  he  was  determined 
to  relieve  them  if  possible, — for  on  his  visits,  he  found 
them  equally  as  bad  as  described — utterers  of  profane 
sarcasms,  and  revilers  of  all  religion.  In  resolving,  how- 
ever, to  do  what  he  could,  towards  changing  the  characters 
of  these  men,  he  hit  upon  an  expedient  which,  however 
successful  in  his  case,  is  of  too  perilous  a  nature  to  be  ad- 
duced for  imitation.  He  commenced  his  work  of  reforma- 
tion by  relating  such  stories  and  anecdotes,  as  he  knew 
would  please  them,  endeavouring  by  every  means  to  make 
his  company  agreeable  to  them.  In  this  he  succeeded  ; 
and  in  time,  as  his  visits  became  frequent  and  acceptable, 
he  began  to  check  their  swearing,  and  other  improper 
language.  He  would  even  occasionally  condescend  to 
assist  them  in  little  matters,  as  pipe-claying  their  belts,  &c. 
At  length,  he  so  far  gained  their  respect,  and  established 
his  own  influence,  that  no  improper  language  was  ever 
allowed,  or  used  in  his  presence  ;  and  if  any  thing  wrong 
happened  to  be  going  on  at  the  time  of  his  visit,  the  moment 
that  he  entered  the  yard,  some  one  would  give  the  signal 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  45 

— "  He's  coming  !"  .and  presently  all  became  order  and 
regularity.  He  next  got  them  to  attend  to  reading  the 
bible,  held  regular  prayer  meetings  among  them,  and  ex- 
horted them  to  seek  the  Lord.  The  number  of  serious 
persons  among  the  soldiers  increased  daily,  and  his  plan 
prospered  more  and  more,  until,  to  his  great  regret,  the 
regiment  was  removed. 

He  now  felt  at  a  loss  for  a  proper  sphere  for  the  exercise 
of  his  zeal ;  at  length,  he  bethought  himself  of  the  Old 
Men's  Hospital,  which  he  visited  repeatedly,  but  with  little 
success,  as  he  found  the  inmates,  (to  use  his  own  phrase,) 
"  too  tough  for  any  impression  that  he  could  make ;"  and 
he  was  often  heard  to  say,  in  consequence  of  his  experi- 
ence here,  that  "  a  man  turned  fifty,  would  hardly  be  con- 
verted." 

His  first  class-leader  was  the  pious  Patrick  French,  who, 
at  the  latter  end  of  1817,  left  Dublin,  as  a  Missionary  to 
the  West  Indies.  This  gentleman  presently  discovered 
the  sterling  piety,  and  promising  talents,  of  the  young 
convert ;  and  before  his  departure  from  Ireland,  he  waited 
upon  one  of  the  preachers  to  commend  the  stranger  to  his 
particular  notice.  "  Brother  Lamb,"  said  he,  "  I  am  going 
from  you,  perhaps  never  to  return  ;  remember  now  my 
last  request ; — take  particular  care  of  brother  Summer- 
field  :  make  him  known  to  all  your  brethren,  and  he  will 
one  day  shine  in  the  world,  and  in  the  church  of  God." 


46  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

From  Mr.  French,  whom  he  used  to  call  his  spiritual 
father,  he  had  received  many  kindnesses,  and  that,  too, 
at  a  time,  when  the  attentions  of  a  christian  friend  were 
most  necessary  and  acceptable.  On  hearing  of  the  mis- 
sionary appointment  of  his  esteemed  leader,  Mr.  Summer- 
field  addressed  to  him  the  following  note  and  accompanying 
lines : — 

"  Dear  Sir, 

"  Permit  me  to  send  you  the  enclosed  stanzas,  which 
occurred  to  me  as  I  lay  in  bed  this  morning,  and  which  I 
immediately  copied ;  not  that  they  contain  any  of  those 
beauties  for  which  the  poetic  muse  is  so  much  beloved, 
but  they  will  convey  a  faint  idea  of  the  esteem  in  which 
you  will  ever  be  held  in  the  breast  of 

"  AN  UNWORTHY  CLASS-MEMBER. 

5th  November,  1817. 

Verses,  written  extempore,  on  the  occasion  of  Mr.  French's 
going  on  a  Foreign  Mission,  by  a  member  of  his  class. 


1. 


And  must  we,  then,  for  ever !  ever  !  part, 
And  tear  asunder  each  from  other's  heart ! 
And  must  we  bid  a  long,  a  last  farewell ! 
No  more  to  meet,  till  call'd  by  judgement's  knell ! 

That  knell  which  shall  announce  the  death  of  time ! 

And  sound  eternity  with  solemn  chime ! 


REV.  JOHN    SUMMERPIELD.  47 


II. 


And  must  /  wander  in  earth's  doleful  shade, 
Without  the  solace  of  my  French's  aid ! 
And  must  my  throbbing  heart  e'er  pine  with  grief, 
The  loss  of  him,  who  brought  its  sure  relief! 

Relief !  which  he  could  draw  from  Heaven's  store, 
Which  more  abounded,  while  he  drew  the  more ! 


III. 


And  must  J  walk  the  heavenly  road  alone, 
Without  the  company  of  French,  when  gone  ! 
How  can  my  infant  feet  support  the  load, 
The  cross  which  daily  they  must  bring  to  God  ! 
Without  thy  friendly  aid  to  guide  the  way, 
And  charm  me  with  the  views  of  heavenly  day ! 


IV. 


Well  may'st  thou  mock,  oh  pen !  thy  muse's  fire ! 

Well  may'st  refuse,  oh  tongue !  to  aid  my  lyre  ! 

Nor  that  can  write,  "nor  this  can  e'er  express, 

My  heart-felt  pangs :  for  language  ne'er  can  dress 
Thy  grief,  oh  soul !  tho'  she  explode  her  mine, 
To  search  the  richest,  and  the  most  sublime ! 


48  MEMOIRS  OP   THE 


V. 


But  kindred  spirits,  kindred  love  can  feel ! 

Pure  love  !  and  warm,  which  never  can  congeal ! 

And  thou,  oh  French !  dost  know  my  meaning  well, 

Although  my  simple  pen  refuse  to  tell 

The  poignant  sorrow  which  pervades  my  soul, 
At  losing  thee,  my  better  half,  my  whole  ! 


VI. 


Yet  cease,  my  muse,  to  sigh,  to  weep,  to  moan  ;- 

My  heavenly  Father  calls ! — His  will  be  done  ! 

Obedient  French,  how  ready  is  thy  pace  ! 

How  eager  thou,  to  run  the  heavenly  race ! 
Oh  !  may  my  feet  be  always  firmly  shod, 
With  every  virtue  which  can  lead  to  God  i 


VII. 

And  hark  ! — methinks  a  voice  now  strikes  my  ear— - 
"  Oh  !  faithless  Jacob  !  what  hast  thou  to  fear  ! 
"  Though  mother  leave  the  offspring  of  her  womb, 
u  I  ne'er  will  leave  thee  till  I  land  thee  home  ! 
"  If  ravens,  when  they  cry,  are  fed  by  me, 
"  Shall  I  not  feed,  and  much  more  care  for  thee  ! 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  49 


VIII. 

"  My  servant  I  have  call'd  to  other  toil  j    % 
u  I've  plants  to  nourish  in  a  foreign  soil ; " 
"  Which  need  a  more  than  foster-father's  care, 
"  But  which,  with  his,  will  full  perfection  bear. 

"  Didst  thou  but  know  how  much  one  soul  is  worth, 
"  Thou  would'st  not  murmur  that  I  send  him  forth. 


DL 


"  "Gv'n  India's  naked  sons  lift  up  their  eyes, 
"  And  I  have  heard  their  deep  and  bitter  cries  ; 
"  To  dry  their  tears,  I  raised  my  servant  up, 
"  And  for  sin's  gall,  to  give  salvation's  cup ; 
"  That  so,  the  glorious  crown  for  him  prepared, 
"  May  shine  with  lustre  bright,  as  his  reward !" 


Amen  !  my  Lord  !  I  bow  with  solemn  awe  ; 
'Tis  not  for  me  to  alter  Heaven's  high  law ; 
Take  then  thy  servant !  and,  like  moisten'd  mould, 
Seal  him  thyself,  for  thine  eternal  fold  ; 

Till  worlds  on  worlds  revolving  roll  away; 

And  thou  shin'st  forth  in  one  eternal  day ; 

Amen. 

E 


50  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Under  the  same  date  he  addressed  the  following  vale- 
dictory memento  to  Mrs.  French  : — 

"  Dear  I^adam, 

"  Allow  me  to  send  you  the  inclosed  little  tribute  of 
my  affection  and  esteem.  I  know  it  is  unworthy  of  your 
acceptance ;  but  if  it  cause  you  the  smallest  gratification, 
or  cheer  any  of  those  moments  which  the  idea  of  bidding 
adieu  to  your  native  home,  must  necessarily  render  sullen 
and  clouded,  my  ambition  will  have  attained  the  pinnacle 
of  its  wishes. 

"  Believe  me,  dear  madam, 

"  yours,  very  affectionately, 
5th  Nov.  1817.  "  a  class  companion." 

ACROSTICK. 

S  ister,  I  call  thee  in  my  rhyme ; 

I  know  no  other  name  of  thine, 

S  o  let  me  be  forgiven  ; — 

T  hough  soon  we  leave  each  other  here, 

E  ternity  is  very  near  ! 

R  esolve  to  meet  in  heaven  ! 

F  arewell !  my  throbbing  heart  would  say, 

R  emember  me  when  far  away, 

E  v'n,  morn,  and  noon,  at  mercy's  throne  ; 

N  or  fear  that  I'll  forgetful  be  ; 

C  onstantly  I'll  remember  thee  ; 

H  eaven  is  our  mutual  home ! 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMEKFIELD.  51 

F  arewell ! — my  lips  refuse  to  say : — 
A  lmighty  Father  !  guide  their  way, 
R  ide  with  them  on  the  storm  ! — 
1  E  ach  blessing  that  thy  stores  contain, 

W  ith  heaven  itself,  oh !  let  them  gain ! 
E  ach  good,  in  every  form  ! — 
L  ord !  be  their  guide  with  special  care ! 
L  ord  !  may  they  all  thy  blessings  share ! 

Amen! 

The  foregoing  lines,  regarded  simply  with  reference  to 
the  sentiments,  are  not  deficient  in  those  qualities  for  which 
all  his  compositions  were  distinguished — good  sense,  good 
feeling,  and  good  taste  :  as  poetry,  they  merit  slight  praise. 
It  is  however  no  disparagement  to  have  succeeded  but  in- 
differently, where  even  practised  preachers  have  rarely 
done  better.  John  and  Charles  Wesley,  and  one  or  two 
of  their  contemporaries,  have  written  hymns  of  unsurpass- 
able merit,  and  deserved  celebrity  ;  but  their  successors  in 
the  ministry,  however  eloquent  in  discourse,  or  fervent  in 
prayer,  have  generally  become  impotent,  the  moment  they 
have  invoked  the  muse  ;  and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that 
though  they  have  contributed  their  full  share  to  the  stock 
of  amateur  poetry,  there  is  not  (so  far  as  I  am  aware)  one 
popular  piece  of  verse,  written  by  a  methodist  preacher. 
Summerfield,  however,  ought  not  here  to  be  defrauded  of 
the  higher  praise,  of  having  ever  afterward  (with  perhaps 
a  single  exception)  let  alone  "  the  unprofitable  art  of  verse- 
making,"  in  favour  of  the  more  sacred  duty  of  preaching 
the  everlasting  gospel.   Nor  let  it  be  supposed,  that  this  arose 


52  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

from  any  deficiency  in  the  perception  of  poetical  beauty, 
but  rather  the  reverse ;  it  was  once  remarked  by  a  very 
eloquent  and  popular  preacher  in  New- York,  that  he  never, 
in  his  life,  heard  a  man  who  could  read  poetry,  except  one 
— and  that  was  Mr.  Summerfield. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  addressed  by  Mr. 
Summerfield  to  his  friend  and  class-leader,  the  aforenamed 
Rev.  P.  French,  will  be  read  with  great  interest.  The 
writer's  well  known  characteristics  of  memory,  veracity, 
and  candour,  are  vouchers  for  the  authenticity  of  a  narra- 
tive, to  which  providence  has  given  a  peculiar  interest,  and 
which  exhibits  certain  delicate  autobiographical  touches, 
which,  in  the  estimation  of  its  present  copyist,  ought  to 
be  sacredly  preserved.    • 

"  Dublin,  Lower  Mount- Street, 

Nov.  24th,  1817. 
"  My  very  dear  SiRj 

"  Although  you  kindly  promised  to  favour  me  with 
a  letter  from  London,  at  your  convenience,  yet  my  anxiety 
to  have  this  pleasure  fulfilled,  will  not  suffer  me  to  wait, 
without  putting  you  in  mind  of  this  your  promise,  and 
requesting  that  you  would  hasten  that  communication  for 
which  I  am  so  anxious.  I  should  be  quite  discouraged 
from  attempting  to  write  to  you  at  this  time,  when  I  sup- 
pose every  moment  is  engaged  in  concerns  of  so  weighty 
a  nature ;  and  with  this  idea,  it  gives  me  some  pain  to 
think  that  1  am  trespassing  upon  any  portion  of  that, 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  53 

which  must  be  so  very  valuable  to  you  ;  but  when  I  view 
you  in  the  light  of  my  dearest  parent,  in  which  capacity 
you  have  not  only  been  pleased  to  consider  yourself  by 
words,  but  much  more  by  your  actions,  I  should  be  want- 
ing in  that  dutiful  respect  which  I  owe  you,  Were  I  to  per- 
mit any  consideration  to  prevent  my  paying  my  respects 
to  you,  as  I  am  bound  to  do  by  duty,  but  much  more  by 
love.  Hoping,  therefore,  for  your  kind  pardon  for  this 
hasty  liberty,  I  presume  to  unbosom  my  mind  to  you  in  a 
manner  which  bashfuhiess  would  not  suffer  me  to  do,  when 
I  had  the  happiness  of  your  presence  here. 

"  I  cannot  sufficiently  lament  that  I  had  not  the  delight 
of  your  acquaintance  at  a  much  earlier  period  of  time 
than  I  have  had  ;  for  had  I  been  so  fortunate,  I  should 
have  been  prevented  from  fighting  against  what  I  now  see 
to  be  the  manifest  openings  of  that  kind  Providence,  who 
says,  '  your  name  is  graven  on  the  palms  of  my  hands,' 
who  therefore  marks  out  all  our  goings,  if  we  will  but 
follow  his  dictates. 

"  Such  was  the  short  duration  of  our  acquaintance,  that 
I  do  not  even  know,  whether  you  knew  that  I  was  the 
son  of  a  person,  with  whom  you  had,  I  believe,  been  very 
intimate,  as  brethren  in  Christ,  for  a  long  time  :  for  my 
father  was  for  a  considerable  time  a  member  of  the  Stran- 
gers' Friend  Society  in  Dublin,  and  on  terms  of  affectionate 
intimacy  with  you. 


54  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

"  However,  as  the  loss  I  have  sustained  in  my  spiritual 
state,  for  want  of  an  earlier  connexion,  cannot  now  be 
recovered,  I  wish  at  this  time  to  lay  before  you,  a  very 
short  account  of  the  dealings  of  Providence  with  me,  and 
to  request  you  will  give  me  such  paternal  advice  as  you 
may  see  I  so  much  need  :  but  as  this  can  only  be  done 
when  you  have  a  moment  of  leisure  time,  let  me  not 
intrude  myself  on  you  till  that  offers  itself. 

u  I  often  think,  that  the  dealings  of  Almighty  God  have 
been  more  various  towards  me,  than  with  persons  much 
more  advanced  in  life. 

"  I  shall  have  cause  to  bless  the  Lord,  through  all  the 
ages  of  eternity,  that  I  was  born  of  religious  parents, — 
my  father  being  for  many  years  a  leader  and  local  preacher 
in  the  Methodist  connexion,  and  for  some  time  a  steward, 
until  we  removed  from  Preston  to  Staffordshire.  As  I  was 
his  eldest  son,  it  was  his  particular  wish  that  I  should  have 
the  best  of  educations,  as  he  always  designed  me  for  a 
profession.  With  this  view,  after  being  sent  to  the  best 
preparatory  schools,  I  was  put  among  the  Moravians,  or 
United  Brethren,  at  Fairfield,  near  Manchester,  where  I 
remained  nearly  five  years.  About  the  close  of  this  time, 
my  father  received  a  call  from  the  Almighty,  to  preach  the 
everlasting  gospel  on  the  itinerant  plan.  At  this  time,  he 
was  very  extensively  engaged  in  business  in  Lancashire, 
and  estimated  worth  10,0007.  ;  he  had  just  completed  the 
building  of  a  commodious  house  for  our  family  in  Preston ; 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  55 

and  was  prospering  in  worldly  concerns,  as  much  as  any- 
reasonable  person  could  desire. 

"  His  heart  being  alive  to  God,  and  his  cause,  he  dared 
not  resist  the  will  of  his  great  master,  and  prepared  to  quit 
his  business,  and  hang  upon  Providence  for  his  future  life. 
For  this  purpose,  he  accepted  the  offer  of  a  gentleman  from 
Liverpool,  to  become  partner  with  him  in  his  business, 
which  my  father  was  the  more  willing  to  do,  as  it  was  his 
intention  to  quit  his  business  gradually,  by  disposing  of 
all  he  had  to  this  his  then  partner.  But  before  he  could 
get  this  accomplished,  he  found  that  he  had  misplaced  his 
choice,  as  the  person  with  whom  he  had  associated  him- 
self, though  to  all  appearance  a  gentleman  of  the  first 
respectability,  though  a  worldly  man, — was  involved  in  a 
mass  of  debt,  from  which  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  ex- 
tricate himself.  In  this  situation,  my  father  became  liable 
for  these  debts  as  his  partner  ;  and  in  order  to  prevent 
worse  consequences,  he  was  advised  to  assign  over  all  his 
property  of  every  nature  and  kind,  to  this  person,  upon 
the  promise  that  he  should  receive  a  fair  recompense  for  it. 
My  father  had  but  two  choices,  either  to  do  this,  or  be  torn 
in  pieces  for  these  debts,  which  might  be  more  than  the 
amount  of  all  that  my  father  was  then  worth.  This  per- 
son, however,  never  fulfilled  any  part  of  his  agreement ; 
and  my  father,  by  repeated  delays  and  disappointments, 
gave  up  the  idea  of  following  that  call,  which  he  has  ever 
since  confessed  it  was  his  duty  to  do.  It  seemed  as  if  Pro- 
vidence had  prepared  his   way,    by   cutting  off  at   one 


56  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

stroke,  every  worldly  affair,  and  by  now  refusing  that  call, 
which  he  had  promised  to  accept,  the  judgements  of  God 
have  ever  since  hung  heavy  upon  him.  He  has  often 
engaged  in  worldly  matters  since ;  he  has  amassed  wealth 
since  that  time,  but  the  Almighty  never  suffered  it  to 
remain  with  him  :  he  has  lost  thousands  of  pounds  in 
such  ways  as  almost  seemed  miraculous,  and  he  now 
attributes  it  entirely  to  this  one  act.  Though  he  now 
enjoys  the  favour  of  God,  and  even  his  sanctifying  love  in 
a  great  degree, — yet  he  always  mourns  this  one  action  of 
his  life,  and  has  frequently  told  me,  in  sincerity  and  truth, 
that  the  Almighty  has  clearly  shown  him  that  this  was 
the  cause,  and  always  will  be  a  cause  of  temporal  chastise- 
ment. 

"  The  ways  of  Providence  have  been  most  mysterious 
to  me ;  and  in  order  that  I  may.  not  frustrate  the  wise 
designs  of  Heaven,  I  will  briefly  state  what  I  have  expe- 
rienced. 

"  From  the  losses  my  father  sustained,  I  was  taken 
from  school  very  abruptly,  and  having  engaged  in  several 
worldly  affairs,  I  became  clerk  to  a  merchant  in  Liverpool 
at  fourteen  years  of  age,  with  whom  I  had  a  liberal  salary, 
though  so  very  young,  owing  to  my  knowledge  of  the 
French  language,  of  which  my  master  knew  nothing. 
Few,  so  young,  had  such  fine  worldly  prospects  as  I  had ; 
but  in  a  short  time,  it  pleased  Providence  to  thwart  me, 
by  my  employer  becoming  a  bankrupt.     I  then  removed 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  57 

to  Ireland  with  my  father,  where  I  had  not  been  long, 
when  I  had  a  strong  desire  to  return  to  England,  having 
opened  a  correspondence  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Raffles,  a 
Calvinist  minister,  with  a  view  of  obtaining  permission  to 
enter  their  Seminary  at  Hoxton,  to  be  prepared  for  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel,  which,  if  I  had  done,  I  should  pro- 
bably now  have  been  a  preacher  of  the  everlasting  gospel 
to  that  people.  I  poured  out  my  prayers  to  God  ;  and  if 
ever  I  felt  power  with  the  Almighty,  it  was  then.  I  am 
assured  he  smiled  on  me  in  all  I  did,  and  when  I  had 
wept  before  him  on  the  reflection  of  the  awfulness  of  the 
work,  and  my  own  youth,  I  have  experienced  such  a  sense 
of  his  presence  and  promises  of  assistance,  that  I  could  not 
for  a  moment  doubt  it  was  his  will. 

"  From  what  I  experienced  at  that  time,  I  am  convinced 
that  there  are  as  good  men  in  that  body  of  Christians,  as 
in  any  other,  for  I  was  strongly  rooted  in  their  opinions, 
but  suffered  no  diminution  in  love  to  God  on  that  account. 
Since  then,  the  Almighty,  in  a  great  measure,  withdrew  his 
presence  from  me  ;  and  when  my  father  directed  my  pur- 
suits to  worldly  objects,  He  thwarted  me  in  every  under- 
taking. 

"  After  being  for  some  time  with  my  father,  he  put  me 
into  the  Coal  trade,  in  partnership  with  another  person  then 
in  the  business.  I  advanced  500Z.,  as  my  capital ;  before 
we  had  been  together  three  months,  my  partner  behaved 
to  me  very  dishonestly ;  he  had  my  money  in  his  hands,  and 


58  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

got  himself  arrested,  and  having  spent  four  months  in  goa*, 
got  out  under  the  Insolvent  Act,  by  which  I  lost  all  my 
money. 

"  In  my  soberest  moments,  I  cannot  account  for  these 
different  crosses  on  the  scale  of  human  mischances, — as 
so  called ;  for  I  was  not  devoid  of  all  such  prudence  as 
worldly  men  make  use  of.  After  this,  my  father  again 
resolved  to  continue  me  in  the  business. 

• 

"  My  prospects  for  a  time  began  to  brighten  ;  and  with 
my  business  my  acquaintances  also  encreased,  and  I  was 
induced  by  some  to  accept  bills  for  their  accommodation  to 
a  large  amount,  which  they  were  to  provide  for.  My  good 
nature  was  visited  on  my  own  head  ;  the  bills  came  down 
on  me,  and  in  the  midst  of  my  seeming  prosperity,  I  was 
thrown  into  prison  for  those  bills  which  I  had  accepted. 
There,  the  Almighty  kept  me  seven  long  months,  and  I  was 
again  plunged  into  poverty. 

"  Now,  my  dearest  friend,  what  shall  I  do  ?  I  hope  that 
God  has  completely  weaned  me  from  earthly  things  ;  I 
have  not  one  wish  below  the  sun,  but  to  live  to  Him.  I 
am  determined  to  submit  to  his  Providence,  and  to  do  what- 
ever he  shall  unfold  to  me. 

"  A  thought  occurred  to  me  yesterday,  in  which  I  also 
entreat  your  advice  :  I  understand  that  the  Messrs.  Shaws 
iiave  taken  your  establishment  ;  now  if  you  think  they 


w 


*# 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  59 

would  want  some  person  to  fill  the  capacity  which  you 
filled,  along  with  Mrs.  French,  you  might  write  to  Mr. 
Shaw  for  me.  From  my  knowledge  of  the  French  lan- 
guage, Music,  Latin,  Greek,  &c.  I  might  be  an  acquisi- 
tion ;  not  to  mention  the  inferior  branches,  such  as  Geog- 
raphy, History,  Astronomy,  &c.  &c.  If  it  should  please 
God  to  call  me  to  this  situation,  I  could  fill  it  with  honour 
to  myself  and  them.  But  I  am  entirely  resigned  to  God, 
to  whatever  he  has  for  me  to  do.  I  often  wish  that  I  was 
in  the  Stranger's  Friend  Society,  for  the  Almighty  might 
have  something  for  me  to  do  for  Him,  and  I  think  I  can 
never  glorify  Him  sufficiently.  Yet,  oh,  my  dear  French, 
I  am  like  a  sheep  without  a  shepherd  ;  I  have  no  one  to 
lead  me  by  the  hand ;  I  am  myself  a  stranger — yet  I 
would  fain  become  a  stranger's  friend.  If  I  could  flatter 
myself,  that  I  could  be  in  any  degree  useful,  I  should  never 
be  tired  in  being  spent  for  God. 

"  However,  I  sit  me  down,  and  mourn  over  my  fate — ■ 
if  I  may  use  the  word  ;  and  my  misfortune  in  being  torn 
from  you,  at  such  an  early  stage  of  our  connexion.  You 
are  indeed  my  father  in  Christ ;  and  whatever  glory  may 
redound  to  my  heavenly  Father,  through  any  weak  efforts 
of  mine,  must  eventually  be  attributed  to  you. — I  bless 
God,  my  love  to  Him  is  daily  encreasing,  and  I  am  deter- 
mined, let  others  do  as  they  will,  I  will  serve  the  Lord.  I 
hope  you  are  growing  more  and  more  to  the  fulness  of  the 
measure  of  Christ ;  and  that  Mrs.  French  enjoys  a  con- 
tinued sense  of  the  approbation  of  her  great  Master. — If  I 


60  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

never  meet  you  again  on  earth,  I  am  certain  I  shall 
meet  you  in  heaven  ;  for  thither  I  am*  resolved  to  hasten, 
and  I  am  as  certain  you  will  embrace  me  there. 

"  Do  not  neglect  to  answer  me  fully. 

"  May  God  have  you  in  his  holy  keeping,  is  the  earnest 
prayer  of, 

"  Dear  Sir, 
"  Your  unworthy,  but  affectionate, 

"JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 

A  brief  note,  bearing  date  Nov.  29,  1817,  addressed 
by  the  Rev.  P.  French  to  Mr.  Summerfield,  contains  the 
following  exhortation  : — "  Wait  God's  appointed  time  in 
all  circumstances.  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Shaw  about  you :  he 
will,  I  know,  do  what  he  can.  God  is  your  best  friend — 
trust  Him — when  you  least  expect  it,  his  promise  will  be 
confirmed.  Let  prayer  be  your  constant  exercise.  Value 
the  bible  as  your  faithful  companion.  Rise  early  in  the 
morning  for  reading  and  prayer  ;  and  frequent  the  ordi- 
nances." 


V 


RK1°    £OHN  SUMMERFIELD.  61 


SECTION  IV. 

Begins  to  keep  a  Diary — attends  Sunday  schools — gives  an 
exhortation — incessantly  studies  the  Holy  Scriptures — 
attends  an  Irish  wake — -filial  obedience — -falls  into  tempta- 
tion. 

The  preceding  sections  exhibit  a  somewhat  rapid 
sketch  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  life,  from  the  time  of  his 
birth  to  the  twentieth  year  of  his  age.  Of  the  remaining 
portion  of  his  brief  but  brilliant  career,  more  ample  and 
detailed  notices  will  be  expected :  happily  for  the  writer 
and  readers  of  the  Memoirs  of  this  most  interesting  ser- 
vant of  God,  his  own  industry  has  left  materials  the  most 
abundant  and  satisfactory. 

From  the  time  of  his  conversion,  until  the  period  when 
he  could  no  longer  hold  a  pen — with  some  interruptions — 
he  kept  an  exact  Diary  of  his  life.  In  projecting  tins 
elaborate  register  of  his  daily  actions  and  experience,  Mr. 
Summerfield  might  justly  have  colloquized  with  himself 
in  the  language  of  the  most  eloquent  and  powerful  of  mo- 
dern British  Essayists  .*     "  The  little  rill,  near  the  source 

*  Foster.— On  a  man  writing  Memoirs  of  Himself. 
P 


62  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

af  one  of  the  great  American  rivers,  is  an  interesting 
object  to  the  traveller,  who  is  apprized,  as  he  steps  across 
it,  or  walks  a  few  miles  along  its  bank,  that  this  is  the 
stream  which  runs  so  far,  and  which  gradually  swells  into 
so  immense  a  flood.  •  So,  while  I  anticipate  the  endless 
progress  of  life,  and  wonder  through  what  unknown 
scenes  it  is  to  take  its  course,  its  past  years  lose  that  cha- 
racter of  vanity  which  would  seem  to  belong  to  a  train  of 
fleeting,  perishing  moments,  and  I  see  them  assuming  the 
dignity  of  a  commencing  eternity.  In  them  I  have  begun 
to  be  that  conscious  existence  which  I  am  to  be  through 
infinite  duration  :  and  I  feel  a  strange  emotion  of  curiosity 
about  this  little  life,  in  which  I  am  setting  out  on  such  a 
progress  ;  I  cannot  be  content  without  an  accurate  sketch 
of  the  windings  thus  far  of  a  stream  which  is  to  bear  me 
on  for  ever." 

This  invaluable  document,  in  a  transcript  of  certified 
accuracy,  now  lies  before  me.  It  appears,  indeed,  from  an 
expression  in  the  passage  presently  to  be  cited,  that  this  is 
not  the  earliest  diurnal  record  which  Mr.  Summerfield  had 
kept :  whether,  however,  that  has  been  preserved  or  not, 
appears  uncertain  ;  it  is  not  among  the  papers  transmitted 
to  the  present  writer. 

The  "  Journal,"  as  it  is  entitled,  is  thus  introduced  : 
— "  1818,  January  1st.  Thursday — Commenced  this  year 
in  Whitefriar-street  meeting  house,  on  my  knees,  at  the 
watch-night. 


.•yk*ty 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  63 

"  I  felt  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  my  soul  was  fed 
with  good  things.  Oh !  that  I  may  prove  faithful  this 
year.  I  have  often  dedicated  myself  to  God  on  a  similar 
occasion,  but  as  often  have  violated  my  engagements ;  yet 
this  year,  I  am  determined,  let  others  do  what  they  will, 
I  will  serve  the  Lord. 

"  When  I  call  to  mind  the  mercies  of  the  past  year, 
I  am  quite  lost  in  contemplating  the  goodness  of  God. 

*  Where  shall  thJt  wondering'  soul  begin? 

The  last  year,  was  truly  a  year  of  trial,  and  great  affliction 
to  our  family,  as  may  be  seen  in  other  parts  of  my  former 
diary.  What  this  year  may  bring  forth,  I  know  not ! 
But  oh,  my  Father  !  whatever  thou  mayest  have  in  reserve 
for  me.  in  the  womb  of  thy  Providence,  this  year,  prepare 
me  for  it.  Thy  will  be  done  !  I  am  satisfied  to  pass 
through  poverty,  if  it  is  thy  will ;  only  let  me  be  always 
rick  in  faith  towards  thee.  If  I  should  be  entrusted  with 
temporal  riches,  may  I  consider  myself  as  thy  steward,  to 
whom  I  must  give  an  account ;  and  keep  me  always  poor 
in  spirit.  If  this  should  be  a  year  of  sorrow  to  me,  yet 
may  I  be  enabled  always  to  rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour — 
If  a  year  of  joy,  yet  may  I  sorrow  that  I  do  not  love  Thee 
more.  I  am  thine,  do  with  me  what  Thou  wilt,  only  bring 
me  to  glory.  " 

The  following  entry,  under  the  same  date,  refers  to  an 


64  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

engagement  which  is  the  more  precisely  noted  here,  for  a 
reason  which  will  presently  appear  : — "  8  o'clock  ;  after 
preaching,  was  invited  by  my  dear  brother,  my  class  com- 
panion, to  come  to  a  prayer-meeting,  in  Whitefriar's-street, 
appointed  for  supplicating  a  revival  of  God's  work  among  us 
this  year. — Wruje  on  my  knees,  an  unknown  hand  tapped 
me  on  the  shoulder  to  pray ;  it  was  the  first  time  I  ever 
prayed  in  public  :  I  began  in  weakness,  but,  glory  to  God ! 
good  was  done,  and  I  ended  in  great  power. — The  meeting 
continued  till  11  o'clock." 

• 
Three  days  afterwards,  he  notices  his  attendance  at  the 
Sunday-school  in  the  forenoon  ;  and  in  the  afternoon,  that 
he  went  to  arrange  "for  our  new  school  in  Weaver's 
Hall."  la  the  evening  of  this  first  sabbath  in  the  year, 
he  went  to  Whitefriar's-street  meeting  house,  to  hear  his 
"  beloved  Mr.  Wood"  preach,  and  where  he  "  renewed  the 
covenant,  with  fear  and  trembling :"  on  reaching  home,  he 
wrote, — "  11  o'clock  ;  on  my  way  home,  I  was  musing  upon 
what  I  had  done :  saw  that  I  had  married  myself  to 
Christ,  to  take  him  for  better  and  worse,  through  honour 
and  dishonour  ;  and  I  saw  the  beauty  of  that  passage  in 
the  Revelations,  '  behold  the  bridegroom  cometh  ;  and  the 
bride,  the  lamb's  wife,  hath  made  herself  ready.'  Oh  !  may 
1  be  pure,  and  chaste,  and  spotless,  and  worthy  of  this  high 
honour.  The  family  were  all  in  bed,  and  I  had  a  fine 
opportunity,  which  I  improved  by  fervent  prayer — my  soul 
was  watered  abundantly." 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  65 

The  following  evening  at  the  class  he  experienced  a 
still  more  distinct  manifestation  of  the  divine  presence  and 
approbation :  he  says,  "  though  I  obscured  myself  in  a 
dark  corner  of  the  meeting,  yet  God  saw  me,  and  I  was 
called  upon  to  pray,  though  there  were  many  in  the  meet- 
ing much  more  able.  I  never  experienced  so  much  free- 
dom ;  I  have  reason  to  believe  it  was  owned  of  God  ; 
three  souls  were  set  at  liberty — '  from  the  bondage  of  their 
sins.'"  At  the  conclusion  of  this  day,  after  having 
prayed  three  times  in  public,  he  exclaims,  "  where  will  all 
this  end  f  The  next  day,  he  was  unanimously  voted  a 
member  of  the  "  Praying  Association,"  which  engagement 
required  that  he  should  exercise  his  gift  publickly  in  the 
chapels,  as  well  as  in  private  houses ;  upon  receiving  his 
appointment  for  Cork-street  chapel,  he  repeats  the  excla- 
mation, "  where  will  this  end  V  When  the  season  for  his 
public  officiation  in  the  chapel  arrived,  his  apprehensions 
were  disappointed — he  not  only  felt  liberty  but  comfort. 
This  prepared  him  for  the  next  turn,  where,  in  consequence 
of  the  local  arrangements,  his  duty  required  him  to  ascend 
the  reading  desk  :  he  had  never  before  been  so  conspicu- 
ously elevated,  and  experienced  in  consequence  a  good 
deal  of  agitation.  Having  a  slight  impediment  in  his 
speech,  he  was  apprehensive  that  he  might  stammer  in 
giving  out  the  hymn.  But  he  found  how  true  was  the 
divine  assurance,  "  cast  your  care  upon  me,  and  I  will 
sustain  it ;"  he  felt  no  hesitation ;  and  much  good  was 
done. 

f2 


66  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

He  next  ventured  to  speak  his  experience  at  a  "  Fellow- 
ship meeting;"  and  on  the  ISthof  January,  at  the  instance 
of  his  "  dear  class  companion,"-  he  was  induced  to  give  a 
brief  extemporary  exhortation  at  the  conclusion  of  a  prayer 
meeting,  held  in  Sweeney's  lane.  To  use  his  own  words, 
"  I  arose  with  fear  and  trembling :  it  was  the  first  time 
that  ever  I  exhorted  (so  formally,  he  means)  in  public  or 
private.  Glory  to  God,  he  was  my  mouth,  and  though  I 
feared  the  impediment  in  my  speech,  I  found  no  effect 
from  it — I  sang  and  prayed,  and  I  believe  good  was  done." 
Thus,  in  the  short  space  of  three  weeks,  this  sincere  and 
zealous  disciple  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  graduated  from  the 
first  public  exercise  of  his  talents  in  an  obscure  prayer 
meeting,  to  the  earliest  display  of  those  higher  pulpit 
qualifications,  for  which  he  became  afterwards  so  pre- 
eminently distinguished.  It  is  a  case  happily  illustrative 
of  that  peculiarity  in  the  system  of  Methodism,  which 
provides  so  admirably  for  the  developement  and  occupancy 
of  whatever  degrees  of  piety  or  intelligence  may  be  pos- 
sessed by  any  of  its  members. 

Many  persons  will  doubtless  be  inclined  to  regard  this 
rapid  advancement  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Summerfield,  either 
as  very  presumptuous  or  very  precocious.  Some  of  his 
slower -paced  contemporaries  were  not  slack  in  exercising 
this  prerogative  :  without,  however,  the  slightest  disposition 
to  impute  improper  motives  to  these  inquisitors,  it  is  grati- 
fying to  know  that  the  subject  of  them  was  not  only  not 
offended,  but  that  he  evinced  at  once  his  growth  in  grace 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  67 

as  well  as  in  gifts,  by  the  spirit  and  manner  in  which  he  re- 
ceived (perhaps  wholesome)  animadversions.  Those  who 
were  fond  of  order  in  the  prayer  meetings,  charged  him 
with  being  "  too  enthusiastic  ;"  and  which  grieved  him  the 
most,  professed  to  doubt  whether  he  had  even  "  experienced 
the  pardon  of  his  sins."  These  allegations  induced  him  to 
exclaim  in  secret,  "  God,  thou  knowest  my  heart !  Thy 
glory  is  the  sole  end  I  have  in  view  :"  and  the  next  day, 
after  studying  the  scriptures  for  two  hours,  he  adds — "  This 
day  I  have  been  more  earnest  at  the  throne  of  grace,  than 
ever  I  was  before.  I  have  prayed  six  or  seven  times,  at 
great  length,  that  I  might  not  be  deceived,  and  felt  my  soul 
melted  down  in  the  furnace  of  love." 

At  this  period,  besides  attending  to  numerous  religious 
engagements,  and  studying  the  Holy  Scriptures  systemati- 
cally and  almost  incessantly,  he  was  employed  in  various 
household  duties,  which  his  past  indiscretions  having  con- 
tributed to  impose,  so  his  present  humility  influenced  him 
to  perform.  He  likewise  devoted  a  certain  portion  of  each 
day  to  the  education  of  his  younger  sisters  ;  and  withal, 
attended  to  the  settlement  of  various  accounts  connected 
with  his  father's  concerns.  The  adjudication  of  these 
affairs  was  irksome  to  his  spiritual  sensibility,  by  bringing 
him  into  contact  with  persons  and  circumstances  ungenial 
to  the  growth  of  piety ;  and  in  one  instance  especially  he 
very  narrowly  escaped  an  unpleasant  exposure  in  connexion 
with  the  Marshalsea.  His  own  account  of  this  accident 
is  as  follows  :  "  I  had  this  day  a  miraculous  interposition 


68  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

of  Divine  aid ;  I  was  in  a  strait,  owing  to  some  error  I  had 

committed  in 's  business,  confined  in  the  Marshall's, 

which  would  have  remanded  him.  I  cried  unto  the  Lord, 
and  he  delivered  me.  He  caused  that  the  mistake  was 
not  perceived  by  the  officer  of  the  court,  though  seven 
persons  were  remanded  for  a  far  less  trifling  mistake.  I 
will  glorify  thy  name,  O  Lord  my  God !"  He  but  a  few 
days  before  prevailed  upon  his  father  to  give  to  a  person 
whom  he  had  arrested,  a  clear  receipt  against  a  bill  of  300Z., 
for  the  consideration  of  a  note  for  50Z.  payable  in  six 
months. 

The  custom  of  waking  with  the  dead,  although  of  great 
antiquity  and  extensively  prevalent  in  Ireland,  is  so  fre- 
quently connected  with  social  broils,  and  other  circum- 
stances of  indecorum,  that  it  would  be  much  "more 
honoured  by  the  breach  than  the  observance."  This 
practice,  however,  is  not  confined  either  to  the  poor  or  the 
ignorant ;  and  the  subjoined  passage  from  Mr.  Summer- 
field's  Diary  at  this  period,  will  show  that  even  such  an 
observance  may  be  turned  to  spiritual  account: — "11 
o'clock,  I  went  to  a  wake  of  a  dear  brother,  who  had  died 
the  day  before  in  the  Lord.  •  Five  of  our  brethren  accom- 
panied me ;  we  sat  up  all  night :  the  room  was  filled  with 
a  mixed  society,  Catholics  and  others  :  wet  redeemed  the 
time.  Having  obtained  the  consent  of  the  relations  of  the 
deceased,  we  commenced  singing  a  Hymn,  which  is  a  most 
unheard  of  thing  on  these  occasions,  the  time  being  usually 
spent  in  mirth.     I  then  went  to  prayer:  after  this  we 


« 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  69 

spent  the  night  betwixt  singing  and  praying,  and  exhort- 
ing, and  religious  conversation,  and  our  little  labours  were 
owned  of  God.  Some  were  struck  by  his  word  and  wept 
aloud— Glory  to  God !" 

The  following  memorandum  relative  to  the  domestic 
circumstances  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  family  at  this  junc- 
ture is  affectingly  interesting : — "  Dinner,  and  hearing  my 
sisters  their  lessons  :  my  father  coming  home,  I  was  desired 
to  go  with  him  to  buy  some  clothes.  He  expended  91. 
He  was  in  great  want  of  clothes  himself.  I  remarked  with 
joy,  that  the  first  thing  he  said,  after  buying  a  coat  for 
himself,  was  l  now,  I  thank  God,  I  can  again  attend  the 
means.'  Lord,  thou  hast  brought  us  very  low,  but  thou 
art  again  trying  us  with  a  little  prosperity ;  may  we  in 
every  state  be  faithful  to  Thee." 

Filial  obedience  is  a  most  excellent,  and  much  too  rarely 
practised  christian  virtue.  It  is  not  only  the  "  first  com- 
mandment with  promise,"  in  the  law  of  God,  but  happily 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  early  instincts  of  our  nature. 
Alas !  how  soon  does  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart 
manifest  itself  in  rebellion  against  parental  authority :  and 
it  is  no  less  a  painful  truth,  that  frequently  the  spiritual 
children  of  God,  fail  rightly  to  reverence  their  earthly 
parents.  It  is  indeed  matter  of  lamentation  to  see  how 
many  fathers  and  mothers,  instead  of  themselves  obeying 
the  divine  injunction  to  "  bring  up  their  children  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,"  seem  rather  willing, 


70  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

by  their  negligence,  to  disfranchise  their  offspring  from 
this  paramount  duty.  It  has  already  been  shown  that  the 
elder  Mr.  Summerfield  was  a  man  of  God  :  to  the  utmost 
of  his  ability  he  brought  up  his  children  in  the  way  that 
they  should  go.  His  son  John,  especially  after  his  con- 
version, not  only  duly  reverenced  his  father  as  such,  but  re- 
garded him  as  a  christian  professor  of  rare  and  ripe  expe- 
rience. He  appears,  however,  to  have  inclined  towards  a 
degree  of  strictness  with  reference  to  the  subject  of  these 
Memoirs,  which  might  be  partially  attributable  to  the 
past  misconduct  of  the  latter. 

At  prayer  meetings,  and  other  means  of  grace,  as  well 
as  in  religious  conversation  with  christian  friends,  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield was  sometimes  detained  until  a  late  hour  in  the 
evening :  this  exposed  him  to  the  dissatisfaction  and  re- 
monstrances of  his  father,  who  had  generally  on  these 
occasions  to  sit  up,  or  rise  from  his  bed  to  let  him  into  the 
house.  While  the  Diary  before  me,  contains  towards  the 
commencement  of  his  spiritual  career,  some  entries — gene- 
rally compunctious,  on  this  side  of  the  question ;  it  pre- 
sents correlatively  and  throughout,  innumerable  records 
of  the  most  delicate  and  affectionate  expressions  of  filial 
admiration  as  well  as  respect.  "  24th  January  ;  at  family 
prayer,  this  evening,  the  close  of  the  week,  my  soul  was 
well  watered.  My  father  returned  thanks  most  beautifully 
for  the  mercies  of  the  past  year,  which  was  spent  in  Lower 
Mount-street ;  and  most  pathetically  implored  Jehovah  to 
dwell  with  us  in  this  house,  not  as  a  transient  guest,  but 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  71 

as  a  stationary  friend.  In  surveying  the  past  year,  I  am 
lost  in  thought ;  the  arm  of  the  Almighty  has  been  made 
bare  on  our  behalf,  and  has  wrought  miraculous  deliver- 
ances for  us.  We  have  known  the  want  of  bread  last 
year,  and  yet  in  this  state  our  necessity  proved  the  Lord's 
opportunity.  Oh,  my  Father,  if  my  soul  ever  forget 
Thee,  may  my  right  hand  forget  her  cunning  !  Oh  !  that 
all  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  wondrous  works, 
and  for  his  loving  kindness  to  the  children  of  men.  For 
my  own  part,  my  heart  is  this  evening  ready  to  burst  with 
a  gust  of  his  praise — glory  !  glory  !  glory  !" — "  25th  Jan. 
Sunday.  This  being  the  first  morning  in  our  new  abode, 
and  also  the  morning  of  the  Lord's  own  day,  my  dear 
parent  dedicated  it  to  His  service,  whose  it  properly  was. 
My  soul  was  melted  down,  and  I  hope  received  more  of  the 
heavenly  mould.  I  remarked  that  my  father  was  specially 
thankful  to  God  for  afflictions— nay,  he  even  prayed  to  be 
farther  chastised  if  God  saw  it  expedient,  that  he  might 
be  drawn  nearer  and  nearer  to  his  Father.  How  unlike 
many  professors,  who  repine  at  these  things — and  even  I, 
oh,  what  a  lesson  have  I  to  learn  !" 

It  is  painful  to  shade  so  beautiful  a  picture  of  family 
religion,  with  the  following  passage,  referring  to  the  evening 
of  the  same  day  :  "  11  o'clock,  arrived  home — the  family 
all  in  bed.  And  now,  a  scene  occurred,  which  stole  from 
me  every  blessing  I  had  got  to  day.  Satan  truly  presented 
himself  to  me  as  an  angel  of  light  in  this  temptation. — 
My  father  reproved  me  for  being  out  until  so  late  an  hour, 


72  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

and  threatened  the  consequences  if  I  continued  in  the 
practice.  It  was  suggested  to  my  mind  by  the  author  of 
all  evil,  that  I  was  suffering  for  the  cause  of  Christ! 
The  bait  was  well  gilded  I  I  swallowed  it !  With  this  idea, 
I  returned  some  very  improper  answers  to  my  dear  parent, 
which  wounded  him  in  the  tenderest  part :  he  not  knowing 
that  I  was  connected  with  any  prayer  meeting." 

For  the  first  time  since  his  conversion,  he  retired  to  rest 
without  prayer ;  and  rose  at  seven  next  morning,  "  but 
could  not  pray  !"  He  felt  that  he  had  grieved  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  saw  that  he  had  fallen  :  and  his  compunctious 
visitations  derived  an  additional  pang  from  the  fact,  that 
although  it  was  his  duty  to  have  apologized  to  his  father 
— his  father  almost  apologized  to  him.  His  mind  was  in 
a  most  abject  and  distressed  state ;  he  felt  he  had  suffered 
loss  in  his  soul ;  and  could  not  even  bring  his  mind  to 
go  to  his  class  in  the  evening,  but  early  retired  to  bed.  In 
a  dream  of  the  night  he  was  particularly  impressed  with 
this  passage :  "  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  even  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous."  He  rose 
early  next  morning,  convinced  that  this  was  a  monition 
from  God  ;  took  courage,  and  instantly  set  about  recover- 
ing the  happiness  he  had  lost.  He  attended  the  Soldier's 
prayer-meeting  in  the  evening,  "  and  again  tasted  that  the 
Lord  was  gracious." 

On  the  31st  of  January,  he  writes  thus  : — "  This  is  my 
birth-day.     When  I  take  a  survey  of  the  mercies  of  my 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  73 

past  life,  and  consider  my  poor  returns,  I  am  sunk  in  the 
deepest  humility  before  my  God  and  Father.  But  I  now 
give  myself  anew  to  his  service;  I  feel  I  am  not  my  own; 
and  as  I  am  this  day  at  that  maturity  which  the  world 
calls  of  age,  when  we  cease  to  be  children,  I  am  fully  deter- 
mined to  cease  to  be  a  child  of  the  devil's  any  longer. — 
My  father  gave  me  most  loving  advice  to  day.  Oh !  may 
I  improve  by  so  good  precepts." 


74  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTIOX  V. 

Studies  incessantly — thinks  about  the  Christian  ministry — 
health  very  delicate — religious  experience — ardent  piety — 
dreams. 

The  man  who  illustrates  by  his  own  practice,  a  mode 
of  cultivation  by  which  two  acres  of  ground  may  be  made 
to  produce  twice  as  much  as  they  did  before,  is  really  a 
greater  benefactor  to  mankind,  than  he  who  shall  discover 
an  island  of  two  thousand  acres  extent,  with  but  little 
prospect  of  its  ever  being  cultivated  to  any  good  purpose 
at  all.  So,  the  individual,  whose  religious  experience  ex- 
hibits most  explicitly  and  successfully  the  progress  of 
that  growth  in  grace,  and  the  manifestation  of  those 
"  fruits  of  righteousness" — that  "  peace  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,"  which  are  expected  to  distinguish  every 
true  believer  in  Christ  Jesus, — such  individual  does  more 
towards  recommending  the  cultivation  of  evangelical  vir- 
tue among  mankind,  than  he  who  presents  unsuspected 
peculiarities  of  christian  character.  In  the  moral  as  in 
the  material  world,  there  exist,  doubtless,  immense  tracts 
of  terra  incognita ;  but  hot h,  in  a  certain  sense,  appear  to 
have  their  limits :  and  it  is  as  frequently  the  case  that  great 
men  are  the  creatures  of  circumstances,  as  that  they  are 
the  voluntary  creators  of  their  own  high  destinies.     If 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  75 

Summerfield  had  been  born  in  the  dawn  of  Christianity, 
he  might  have  been  an  apostle ; — a  century  or  two  later, 
and  he  might  have  won  the  crown  of  martyrdom  ; — the 
contemporary  of  Luther,  and  he  might  have  been  a  refor- 
mer :  on  the  other  hand,  had  Columbus  been  the  contem- 
porary of  Cooke,  he  might,  like  him,  have  circumnavigated 
the  globe,  and,  with  him,  have  discovered  sundry  groups 
of  islands  in  the  vast  Pacific ; — a  hundred  years  later,  and 
he  might,  with  Parry,  have  penetrated  towards  the  pole. 
It  is  said  might,  in  the  foregoing  assumptions,  because  in 
both  cases  the  spirit  was  the  same,  but  its  operation  was 
limited  as  well  as  modified  by  circumstances.  A  greater 
than  Columbus  may  be  born,  but  the  world  probably  does 
not  contain  an  unexplored  tract  large  enough  to  immor- 
talize his  discovery  :  a  greater  than  St.  Paul  may  be  con- 
verted, but  (and  with  reverence  be  it  spoken)  Christianity 
has  not  an  untilled  field  equal  to  that  which  lay  before  the 
apostle  of  the  Gentiles. 

These  remarks  are  suggested,  perhaps  gratuitously 
enough,  by  the  acknowledged  fact,  that  the  Diary  of  Mr. 
Summerfield,  although  rich  in  the  memorials  of  happy 
experience,  must  nevertheless  be  regarded  as  comparatively 
poor  in  incident.  This  lack  of  what  the  world  looks  for 
as  "  spirit-stirring"  matter,  is  abundantly  compensated  to 
the  christian  reader,  by  the  very  circumstance  of  its  details 
consisting  mainly  of  what  may  be  deemed  the  every  day 
trials  of  faith  and  patience,  and  overflowings  of  love  and 
gratitude,  which  self  observers,  who  converse  much  with 


76  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

their  own  hearts,  know  well  how  to  appreciate  in  one 
another.  Nor  is  it  perhaps  either  quite  fair  to  the  subject, 
nor  absolutely  required  by  honesty,  to  concede  even  so 
much.  Events,  which,  from  their  rarity  or  romance  of 
occurrence,  or  the  magnitude  of  their  operations,  are  so 
absorbing  in  many  narratives  of  merely  worldly  interest, 
have  nevertheless,  in  most  cases,  but  a  fugitive  impression ; 
while  in  that  little  world  of  thought  and  feeling,  which 
lies  within  the  circumference  of  every  human  heart,  there 
are  incidents  perpetually  transpiring,  unobserved  by  the 
great  world  without,  but  which  are  of  universal  interest, 
either  as  developing  moral  phenomena,  or  as  connecting 
generally  with  the  hopes,  the  fears,  the  joys  and  the  sor- 
rows, the  aims  and  the  enterprises  of  all  mankind. 

It  has  already  been  intimated,  how  assiduously  and 
unremittingly  Mr.  Summerfield,  at  this  time,  applied  him- 
self to  the  systematic  study  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  in  con- 
nexion with  the  usual  expositors  of  sacred  literature. 
Under  the  date  of  Feb.  12,  1818,  he  writes — "This  day, 
I  purpose  getting  a  flint  and  steel,  as  my  fire  is  so  often  out, 
that  I  am  obliged  to  lie  in  bed  till  day-light,  as  was  the 
case  this  morning."  On  what  small  things  frequently 
depend  our  convenience,  our  happiness,  nay,  the  most  im- 
portant issues  of  life  itself  !  The  purchase  of  a  flint  and 
steel,  for  a  few  pence,  added  at  least  two  hours  to  his  day, 
during  the  winter  months.  Time  je  often  cheaply  sold, — 
sold  for  nought ; — here  it  was  cheaply  bought ;  the  value 
of  the  bargain  to  Summerfield,  he  now  knows  far  better 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  77 

than  he  did  at  the  time,  highly  as  he  prized  it ;  for  every 
moment  well  employed  on  earth,  hd!s  its  record  and  its  reward 
in  eternity.  How  much  his  usefulness  on  earth  may  have 
been  improved  by  this  recovery  of  time,  (the  most  precious 
talent,  next  to  the  grace  of  God  to  use  it  well,)  it  is  vain  to 
speculate  now.  But  let  nobody  who  reads  of  this  simple 
incident,  despise  it ;  let  nobody  be  afraid  or  ashamed  to  go 
and  do  likewise, — to  go  and  buy  as  much  time  by  the  sa- 
crifice of  sixpence,  or  the  sacrifice  only  of  an  idle  habit,  or  a 
mischievous  indulgence,  as  will  purchase  much  temporal, 
spiritual,  and  eternal  enjoyment.  It  appears  that  he  was 
now  in  the  habit  of  rising  between  four  and  five  in  the  morn- 
ing to  his  studies,  and  rarely  retiring,  until  near  midnight. 

"  Feb.  13. — ( After  private  prayer,  house  matters,  an  hour 
and  a  half  studying  Romans.)  Read  Young's  Night 
Thoughts  till  ten ;  breakfast,  &c.  till  quarter  past  ten, 
when  I  resumed  studying  Romans  unceasingly  till  half 
past  12.  Recreated  in  domestic  affairs  till  one  o'clock. 
Resumed  and  continued  unremittingly  until  a  quarter 
before  three  ;  dined,  &c.  <fcc. ;  half  past  three  again  resum- 
ed the  Romans,  at  which  continued  until  half  past  five, 
with  an  intermission  of  half  an  hour,  during  which  time  my 
beloved  John,  my  [class]  leader,  visited  me.  Half  past  five 
to  half  past  six,  prepared  to  go  out,  domestic  affairs,  and 
private  prayer ;  then  went  to  the  soldier's  prayer  meeting ; 
from  which  I  returned  a  quarter  before  eight :  then  supper, 
and  from  half  past  eight  to  half  past  ten  studied  Prideaux's 
Connexions,  vol.  3.  My  father  not  come  home,  alarmed 
g2 


78  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

me,  and  so  unhinged  my  mind,  that  I  could  read  no  more  ; 
I  sent  the  children  to  befl,  and  spent  an  hour  in  prayer  to 
God,  and  serious  self-examination.  About  half  past  eleven, 
my  father  came  in,  and  at  twelve  I  went  to  bed.  I  watered 
my  pillow  with  tears  of  love  to  my  sweet  Jesus,  and  closed 
my  eyes  as  if  in  his  arms."  The  foregoing  is  a  fair  sam- 
ple of  his  diurnal  occupations  at  this  period,  especially  if  we 
add  to  it,  the  reading  of  Boss's  Antiquities  of  Greece,  and 
such  items  as  the  following :— "  My  father  then  came  in ; 
dined,  and  spent  an  hour  in  conversing  with  him  on  7th 
Romans." 

Amidst  these  notices  of  intense  study,  of  almost  every 
spare  moment  gathered  up  for  communion  with  God  ;  at- 
tendance at  preaching,  and  prayer  meetings,  at  regular 
seasons,  or  when  opportunities  occurred, — it  is  painful  still 
to  learn,  that  he  "  came  home  (at  half  past  ten)  and  was 
censured  again  for  late  hours."  At  the  recurrence  of  such 
entries,  this  question  .naturally  obtrudes  itself : — Did  not  his 
father  yet  know  that  he  was  connected  with  the  prayer 
meetings  1  If  he  did — why  is  the  son  so  often  censured  for 
being  so  much,  and  so  long,  and  it  may  be  supposed,  so 
profitably  engaged  in  them  ?  If  he  did  not  know,  did  he 
not  inquire  how  his  son  spent  his  evenings  out  till  such  late 
hours  ?  Perhaps  we  ought  to  allow  a  father  so  peculiarly 
circumstanced,  the  benefit  of  a  hope,  that  if  he  erred  in 
being  too  strict  in  this  matter,  it  was  an  error  on  the  side 
of  christian  as  well  as  paternal  prudence. 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  79 

The  aspirations  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  mind  were  almost 
exclusively  turned  towards  the  work  of  God,  and  his  ardour 
in  devotional  exercises  was  so  absorbing,  that  the  interven- 
tion of  merely  secular  duties  was  not  only  cold  and  uninter- 
esting, but  frequently  regarded  as  damping  his  spiritual 
enjoyment.  Indeed,  the  following  entries  shew  with  what 
reluctance  he  engaged  in  worldly  conversation.  "  Prayer 
meeting  in  Park-Gate  street ;  Jesus  was  as  good  as  his 
promise ;  we  were  all  blessed.     When  I  came  home,  my 

father  chid  me  for  my  neglect  in and 's  business : 

my  mind  was  so  unhinged,  I  could  not  study  for  some  time ; 
however,  we  had  family  prayer,"  &c. — "  Went  over  to  the 
Marshal's,  where  I  was  detained  on  business  till  near  one.  I 

then  called  on  Wm. in  street,  and  was  pressed 

into  the  parlour,  where  were  two  ladies,  in  whose  company  I 
spent  two  hours — I  feel  it  was  wrong — my  soul  suffered 
loss  by  it."  How  tender  was  his  conscience  !  Few  persons 
could  see  any  sin  in  spending  two  hours  in  respectable  so- 
ciety ;  nor  perhaps  was  it  otherwise  wrong,  than  as  he  felt 
it  so  much  time  lost  from  communion  with  God.  How 
few  even  of  his  fathers  in  the  gospel  would  have  manifested 
such  sensibility  !  and  to  how  many  who  might  be  disposed 
to  chide  him  for  it  as  a  weakness,  might  the  young  disciple 
reply,  in  the  words  of  the  Saviour,  when  twelve  years  of 
age,  "  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  father's  busi- 
ness ?"  March  1. — In  the  morning,  after  having  spent 
three  hours  in  self-examination  and  prayer,  he  writes,  "I 
look  for  a  special  blessing  from  heaven  to  day."  In  the 
forenoon — "  My  soul  is  like  liquid  gold  this  morning  :  it  is 


80  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

softened  by  love, — Oh  !  Father  !  now  lay  on  thy  blessed 
seal!"     At  11  o'clock,  "went  to  Sunday  school,  which  I 

opened  by  prayer — came  away  along  with and , 

but  I  find  an  unspeakable  loss  in  my  soul  in  consequence  • 
their  conversation  was  of  that  loose  and  almost  indecorous 
nature,  that  I  find  I  have  lost  my  centre  by  mixing  with 
them,  and  [am]  quite  unfit  for  religious  duties."     Again  : 

"  Went  to 's,  on  business  for  my  father  ;  they  are  an 

ungodly  family  ;  I  have  lost  by  my  visit ;  a  lady  was  there, 
^vho  compelled  me  to  write  an  acrostic  extempore, — I  was 
to  blame  for  yielding." — Next  morning  he  exclaims,  "  Oh, 
that  I  had  not  paid  that  worldly  visit  last  night."  Thus 
anxious  was  he  to  respect  that  excellent  rule  of  Methodistic 
discipline : — "  Be  serious  ;  let  your  motto  be  Holiness  to  the 
Lord.     Avoid  all  lightness,  jesting,  and  foolish  talking." 

At  this  period  his  health  was  very  delicate ;  and  he  was 
especially  subject  to  a  grievous  head  ache  :  this,  united 
with  the  intensity  of  his  studies,  and  the  apparent  necessity 
that  existed  for  him  to  set  about  helping  his  father  in  some 
way,  induced  him  to  think  of  giving  up  the  management 
of  prayer  meetings  ;  and,  for  some  reason  which  docs  not 
so  clearly  appear,  his  attendance  at  class  also  ;  still,  how- 
ever, he  resolved  to  continue  to  pray  that  he  might  know 
the  will  of  God  concerning  him,  and  especially  with  re- 
ference to  the  ministry. 

Having  experienced  considerable  relief  to  his  head,  in 
consequence  of  following  the  example  of  Mr.  Wesley,  who, 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  81 

under  similar  circumstances,  consented  to  have  his  long 
hair  cut  off — he  still  continued  his  usual  attendance  at  the 
means  of  grace.  In  one  instance,  he  observes,  "  I  gave  the 
whole  five  shillings  [part  of  which  was  borrowed]  to  my 
class ;  whether  right  or  wrong,  I  know  not ;  but  my  poor 
heart  pitied  Zion — Only  six  members  attended  it.  I  was 
quite  dispirited,  and  got  no  blessing  under  the  means — my 
mind  is  now,  on  this  account,  fully  removed  from  all 
thoughts  of  the  Ministry  ;  and  I  informed  my  father  that 
I  was  bent  on  assisting  him  at  his  business."  This  is, 
apparently,  the  first  time  of  his  naming  the  ministry  as  an 
object  of  contemplation  with  him ;  but  it  is  evidently  a 
memorandum  of  only  one  of  the  conflicts  in  his  mind  on 
this  point,  and  the  desponding  result  of  many  a  previous 
one.  God,  however,  whose  thoughts  are  not  as  our 
thoughts,  and  whose  ways  are  not  as  our  ways,  so  far  from 
being  about  to  desert  his  faithful  servant  to  the  errors  of 
his  own  imagination,  appears  rather  by  this  process  to 
have  been  humbling  him  preparatory  to  the  display  of 
more  distinguishing  spiritual  revelations. 

On  the  Sunday  following,  he  went  to  the  fellowship  meet- 
ing in  Gravel  Walk  ;  "  a  better  time  was  never  remembered ; 
several  were  set  at  liberty  ;  I  sang,  prayed,  and  exhorted, — 
my  cup  did  indeed  run  over."  Next  evening  he  adds — 
"  Went  to  my  class ;  I  am  astonished  at  the  goodness  of  God ! 
He  makes  my  cup  run  over  :  I  concluded  by  prayer,  and  the 
Lord  owned  me  wonderfully ;  many  declared  it  was  the  best 
class  we  ever  had.— God  can  raise  up  stones  to  praise  him." 


82  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Mr.  Summerfield,  from  his  childhood  upward,  manifested  a 
disposition  the  reverse  of  stoical,  and  this  he  mainly  inhe- 
rited from  his  father.  Strong  feelings  were  familiar  to 
him.  High  enjoyments  or  deep  distress.  His  cup  running 
over  with  sweetness,  or  with  bitterness.  These  very 
frames,  so  exquisitely  quick  to  feel  and  to  be  moved  by 
every  touch  of  joy  or  woe,  gave  his  whole  subsequent  life 
(especially  in  his  ministerial  labours)  its  peculiar  character, 
and  constituted  him  the  preacher,  who  could,  by  sympathy, 
raise  the  most  powerful  and  passionate  emotions  in  his 
audiences. 

The  exercises  of  his  mind  were  at  this  time  very  vio- 
lent,— feeling,  as  he  did,  a  desire  to  be  devoted  wholly  to 
the  service  of  God,  and,  at  the  same  time,  a  necessity  laid 
upon  him  to  give  more  of  his  attention  to  some  kind  of 
secular  labour.  Still,  however,  he  clung  close  to  the  rock 
of  his  help  :  toward  the  middle  of  March,  he  thus  records 
his  lamentation  and  his  resolution  : — "  How  little  have  I 
studied  in  the  past  week  !  I  am  resolved  to  give  new  edge 
to  my  exertions." 

"  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find," 
is  the  language  of  Him  who  holds  the  dispensation  of  all 
spiritual  blessings ;  and  Summerfield  was  not  one  who 
pleaded  coldly  or  unbelievingly  for  any  of  the  precious 
promises  of  the  gospel ;  and  on  this  occasion,  especially,  he 
experienced  a  new  and  deep  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Being  on  a  Sunday  afternoon,  with  a  few  other  religious 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  S3 

persons,  at  the  house  of  a  friend,  he  writes: — "I  was 
never  in  my  life  possessed  of  such  feelings.  While  sitting 
in  silence,  the  words, '  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlast- 
ing love,'  flashed  into  my  mind  in  so  sweet  a^paanner,  that 
I  could  not  contain ;  I  burst  into  tears ;  all  wondered  at  the 
cause  ;  a  Hymn  book  was  handed  me  ;  I  sung  and 
prayed ;  and  that  night  I  received  an  unction  from  the 
Holy  One !  Glory  be  to  Jesus  !"  When  he  awoke  next 
morning,  he  "found  the  fire  alive  within— -the  love  was 
burning."  At  half  past  six  he  went  to  the  prayer  meet- 
ing, where,  says  he,  "  my  soul  was  so  overpowered  with  the 
love  of  Jesus  that  I  wept  amain.  I  was  often  inclined  to 
go  out,  that  I  might  roar  out  the  pantings  of  my  soul. — 
For  the  first  time,  dear  brother  M'Dowall  called  on  me  to 
pray.  I  scarcely  could  utter  words  for  weeping  ;  but  my 
heart  was  full — full — full  ;  many  will  remember  the 
morning." 

The  habitual  tendency  of  his  soul  towards  the  object  of 
its  supreme  love,  is  strikingly  indicated  by  such  entries 
as  the  following  : — "  Being  alone,  I  snatched  the  oppor- 
tunity, and  spent  half  an  hour  in  secret  intercourse  with 
heaven.  Oh !  that  I  could  pray  always  !  3  to  5,  unceas- 
ingly studied  Taylor's  Key.  Being  again  left  alone,  I. 
snatched  another  half  hour  to  converse  with  my  Beloved." 
— "  My  sisters  went  out,  and  Jesus  did  certainly  spend 
those  three  hours  with  me."  What  blessed  oppoitunitie3 
were  these  to  him,  when  the  members  of  the  family  were 
all  absent,  and  he  was  left  alone — yet  was  ho  not  alone, 


34  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

for  Jesus  made  his  sweetest  visits  to  him  then ;  as  himself 
testifies : — "  My  sisters  are  gone  to  spend  the  day  out, 
and  I  am  alone  with  Jesus." 

* 
Summerfield   watched — lay   in  wait,   as   it   were — for 

special  opportunities  for  private  devotion,  when  he  could 
uninterruptedly  cry  aloud  in  prayer  to  God.  How  much 
have  they  to  answer  for  to  their  own  souls,  who  never  enter 
into  their  closets,  shut  to  the  door,  and  then  pray  to  their 
Father  which  seeth  in  secret ; — or  if  they  do,  slink  from 
secular  engagements  to  this  duty  as  to  a  task,  and  come 
away,  not  lightened  of  a  burthened  conscience,  but  as 
released  from  a  necessary  penance  to  keep  conscience  quiet 
under  its  burthen.  O  what  a  mercy  it  is  to  feel  that  burthen 
intolerable  !  to  lie  down  under  it  at  the  Redeemer's  feet, 
like  the  woman  who  was  a  sinner,  and  though  we  speak 
not  a  word  for  shame  and  sorrow,  determine  never  to  rise 
again,  till  he  says,  "Thy  sins,  which  are  many,  are  forgiven 
thee  :" — at  least,  never  till  we  know  that  we  are  sincerely, 
and  with  our  whole  heart,  asking  the  blessing,  and  believing 
that  we  shall  have  it  according  to  our  faith,  in  the  Lord's 
time.  That  time  indeed  is  now — for  all  his  time  is  now, 
who  is  "  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever,"  but 
sometimes  ours  is  "  not  yet."  Even  then  when  he  comes 
to  deliver,  He  may  say  to  us,  with  the  rebuke  of  kindness, 
— "  O  ye  of  little  faith,  why  did  ye  doubt  ?" 

A  few  miscellaneous  entries  from  his  Diary  at  this  time, 
may  be  with  propriety  introduced  here.      "  Spent  two 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  85 

hours  in  reading  Clarke,  and  discoursing  on  it  with  my 
father,  from  whom  I  received  more  light  than  from  the 
Doctor."  This  able  commentary  was  a  great  favourite 
with  him,  and  "  unceasingly  studied"  at  this  time.  The 
truly  spiritual  writings  of  Fletcher,  however,  were  still 
more  deeply  interesting  to  him,  and  it  is  not  too  much  to 
suppose,  that  his  whole  soul  and  character  received  a  very 
powerful  bent  from  the  contemplation  of  the  personal  as 
well  as  the  polemical  sanctity  of  this  able  and  pious  author. 
He  devoted  some  time  to  the  "  learning  of  short  hand, 
trusting  that  it  might  be  of  use,"  and  likewise  "exercised  on 
the  Piano."  His  taste  for  music  had  been  cherished,  if 
not  contracted,  at  the  Moravian  seminary;  and  might 
justly  be  so,  as  an  accomplishment  not  without  many 
advantages  to  a  preacher.  With  reference  to  stenography, 
he  appears  either  not  to  have  studied  it  successfully,  or  to 
have  abandoned  it  as  inconvenient  in  practice,  as  no  traces 
of  it  are  observable  among  his  papers — a  circumstance  of 
no  regret  to  his  biographer,  who,  whatever  be  his  opinion 
of  its  utility  in  many  cases,  feels  glad  that  he  is  absolved 
from  the  task  of  decyphering  it  in  this.  "  March  22, 
went  to  Werberg's  church,  and  for  the  first  time,  received 
.he  memorials  of  the  death  of  my  Lord. — It  was  to  me  a 
most  solemn  occasion,  and  I  could  indeed  feelingly  say 
with  the  poet : — 

'  My  Jesus  to  know,  and  feel  his  blood  flow, 
;Tis  life  everlasting — 'tis  heaven  below.' " 

H 


86  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Being  invited  to  take  breakfast  out,  he  observes  : — "  As  I 
purposed  this  day  to, mortify  the  body,  I  took  two  cups  of 
tea  ;  afterwards  was  called  on  to  pray — all  the  family  were 
assembled."  At  noon,  he  adds,  after  studying  for  two 
hours  Clarke  on  the  Hebrews — "  The  family  then  going 
to  dine,  I  walked  out  pursuant  to  my  design,  and  went  to 
the  Park;  having  found  a  sequestered  spot,  I  wrestled 
with  God  till  neat  4  o'clock,  and  was  greatly  blessed. 
Returned  home,  and  after  domestic  matters,  I  went  to  the 
Soldiers'  meeting,  where  I  sung  and  prayed."  After  read- 
ing the  foregoing  memorial  of  his  fast,  and  when  we  re- 
collect that  his  retirement  to  the  Park  was  in  the  cold 
month  of  March,  we  cannot,  without  being  affected,  meet 
with  the  following  item  about  a  fortnight  afterwards: 
"  April  12 — This  is  my  dear  father's  birth  day,  aged  48. — 
Dined  on  cdcoa,  as  we  had  no  money.  It  is  much  better 
than  we  deserve." 

"  April  10.   I  have   had  a  strange   dream  about  the 

preachers,  in  which and were  concerned — I  regard 

it  as  a  mission  from  God  to  me  ;" — the  night  following, — 
"I  dreamed  that  Mr.  Cobain  came  to  me,  and  remarked  that 
it  would  be  better,  if  I  would  get  a  coat,  &c.  of  a  more 
suitable  colour  for  the  work  of  God.  What  can  I  do  ?  I 
have  no  means,  but  Jehovah  Jireh, — Jehovah  Jireh." 
Nearly  all  persons  dream  at  one  time  or(  another,  and 
there  are  perhaps  but  few  who  do  not  pay  some  attention 
to  such  dreams  as  are  very  remarkable.  It  would,  indeed, 
as  little  argue  wisdom  in  a  man  of  God,  altogether  to  dis- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  87 

card,  as  implicitly  to  observe,  every  impression  made  upon 
the  mind  during  sleep  ; — wise  and  good  men  have  never 
acted  exclusively,  either  on  one  side  or  the  other.  Sum- 
merfield,  therefore,  is  not  to  be  blamed  for  paying  some 
attention  to  that  phenomenon,  which  patriarchs,  prophets, 
apostles,  and  confessors  in  all  ages,  have  acknowledged  as 
one  of  the  modes  chosen  by  the  Almighty  for  the  com- 
munication of  his  will.  "  For  God  jpeaketh  once,  yea 
twice,  yet  man  perceiveth  it  not.  In  a  dream,  in  a  vision 
of  the  night,  when  deep  sleep  falleth  upon  men,  in  slum- 
berings  upon  the  bed  ;  then  he  openeth  the  ears  of  men, 
and  sealeth  their  instruction."*  The  fantastic  frivolity  of 
dreams  in  general,  need  no  more  prevent  a  holy  man  from 
attending  to  any  good  communication  which  may  be  made 
to  him  in  his  sleep,  than  the  folly  of  the  waking  hours  of 
those  around  him,  ought  to  deter  him  from  an  attempt  to 
counteract  their  evil  communications;  because,  being  "asleep 
in  their  sins,"  it  may  be  emphatically  said — "  they  know 
not  what  they  do." 

*  Job  xxxiii.  ver.  14 — 16. 


88  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTION  VI. 

Received  as  a  local  preacher — attention  to  domestic  duties — 
visits  for  the  "  Stranger's  Friend  Society" — anxieties  about 
his  ministerial  call — overtaken  with  a  fault — excessive  fast- 
ing— removal  to  Cork — entire  devotedness  to  God. 

We  now  come  to  contemplate  Mr.  Summerfield  in  hi9 
introduction  to  that  high  and  important  office,  which  had 
so  long  been  the  object  of  his  holy  ambition,  as  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  society.  As  a  prayer  leader — as  an  ex- 
horter— as  a  visiter  of  the  sick — as  a  Sunday  school  teach- 
er— as  a  speaker  at  the  conversation  meetings  of  Christian 
brethren — as  a  class  leader — as  a  rich  and  fluent  scriptu- 
rist, — and  above  all,  as  a  young  man  of  fervent  piety,  and, 
considering  his  years,  of  deep  experience,  Mr.  Summerfield 
was  justly  esteemed  by  those  of  his  friends  who  were  best 
acquainted  with  him,  as  the  possessor  of  gifts  and  graces  far 
above  the  ordinary  rank.  While,  therefore,  his  youth,  and 
the  official  responsibility  of  his  elders,  justified  the  pru- 
dence exercised  toward  him ;  his  own  conduct,  from  the 
period  of  his  conversion  to  the  termination  of  his  life,  never 
afforded  a  single  incident  to  lead  any  individual  to  suspect, 
much  less  to  say,  that  his  elevation  had  been  too  precipi- 
tate, or  his  progress  too  rapid. 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  89 

It  is  well  known  to  persons  acquainted  with  the  admirable 
economy  of  the  Methodist  society,  that  between  the  de- 
scription of  persons,  whose  engagements  are  intimated  above, 
and  the  regularly  itinerating  ministers,  there  is  an  impor- 
tant class  of  labourers,  designated  local  preachers  ;  individu- 
als of  accredited  piety,  whose  mouths  God  has  opened  to 
call  sinners  to  repentance,  and  to  declare  to  them  the  sal- 
vation that  is  in  and  by  Jesus  Christ.  These  men,  un- 
learned as  they  often  are,  deserve  not  only  to  be  regarded 
with  honour  "  for  their  work's  sake,"  but  with  astonishment, 
on  account  of  the  original  talents  and  uncommon  experi- 
ence which  many  of  them  possess.  .  Philosophy — or  even 
philosophical  religionists,  would  often  be  justly  surprised  to 
hear,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  men  who,  during  the  other  six 
days,  labour  incessantly  for  the  bread  that  perisheth, — to 
hear  such  men  eloquently  declare  from  the  pulpit  the  won- 
derful works  of  God. 

In  this  rank  of  preachers,  therefore,  Mr.  Summerfield 
took  his  place;  and  it  was  while  graduating  therein,  that 
his  pulpit  ministrations  attracted  toward  him  such  unwont- 
ed popularity.  It  may,  however,  be  interesting  to  notice 
some  of  the  steps  by  which  he  ultimately,  as  a  regular 
preacher,  ascended  to  the  sacred  desk. 

He  had  frequently  delivered  brief,  and  occasionally  more 

lengthened  exhortations  at  prayer  meetings,  and  elsewhere, 

as  well  as  expatiated  upon  given  passages  of  Scripture,  at 

religious  "conversation  meetings;"  but  he  had  never  spoken 

h2 


90  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

publicly  from  any  text,  until  Thursday  morning,  April  23, 
1818,  when,  being  at  the  six  o'clock  service  at  Gravel 
Walk  Chapel,  in  Dublin,  he  was  called  upon  to  officiate 
in  a  more  formal  manner :  but  his  own  statement  of  the 
case,  made  only  for  his  private  information,  and  in  the 
simplicity  of  his  heart,  will  be  acceptable : — "  Mr.  M'Dowall 
commenced  by  singing  and  prayer,  then  called  me  forward 
to  read  and  exhort;  I  never  spoke  before  from  any  passage 
in  the  word  of  God  ;  this,  then,  was  my  first  attempt.  I 
read  part  of  the  4th  chapter  of  Paul's  second  Epistle  to  Tim. 
My  master  was  with  me  ;  I  spoke  fluently,  and  though  I 
have  a  defect  in  my  speech,  I  felt  nothing  of  it — I  take  it 
to  be  a  token  of  good  from  God.  '  Whatever  thou  hast 
for  me  to  do,  oh  !  prepare  me  for  it ;  only  make  me  a  holy 
Christian  !'  "  His  second  attempt  was  on  the  Monday  fol- 
lowing, at  the  same  chapel.  "  I  had,"  says  he,  "  to  carry 
on  the  meeting  alone — I  sang  twice,  prayed  twice,  and  ex- 
horted for  about  half  an  hour,  on  the  13th  and  14th  verses 
of  1st  chapter  of  Ephesians ;  this  is  my  second  attempt, 
though  this  was  more  immediately  in  the  form  of  a  sermon. 
I  felt  great  liberty,  and  I  hope  good  was  done."  After  a 
few  days  he  repeated  the  experiment  at  the  same  chapel, 
preaching  from  Rev.  chap.  ii.  ver.  1-7. 

That  this  auspicious  advent  of  Ins  highest  hopes,  was 
not  unaccompanied  by  corresponding  trials,  will  sufficiently 
appear  from  the  following  passages  from  his  diary.  "  April 
15,  wrote  yesterday  to  Mr.  Jones,  applying  for  a  situation 
in  his  concerns — this  I  did  at  my  father's  desire — I  am 


REV.  JOHB  SUMMERFIELD.  91 


perfectly  resigned;  I  have  made  it  a  matter  of  prayer;  I 
am  in  the  hands  of  God :  my  body  and  soul  are  both  his 
own — let  Him  do  what  seemeth  Him  good."  Again ; 
"  April  30,  my  father  came  home,  having  left  Jones's  em- 
ploy: what  has  God  now  in  store  for  us?  Is  his  fatherly 
hand  about  to  use  the  chastening  rod  again  ?  Father,  if  it 
be  possible,  avert  the  cup  ;  if  not,  thy  will  be  done  !  Amen. 
He  has  appointed  me  to  go  in  the  morning  to  Newtown 
park."  Again ;  "  May  1,  I  went  to  Newtown  park  with 
my  father,  and  returned  at  half  past  6  this  evening.  This 
is  my  first  day's  work  for  many  years." 

As  the  family  were  in  very  straightened  circumstances, 
while  they  resided  in  Ireland,  an  emotion  of  surprise  may 
be  excited  during  the  perusal  of  the  first  year  and  a  half 
of  these  diurnal  entries,  that  amidst  all  the  memorandums 
of  morning,  noon,  and  evening  meals,  and  devotional  and 
studious  occupations,  he  seems  to  have  followed  no  regular 
employment,  as  a  clerk  or  otherwise,  though  he  often 
speaks  of  being  occasionally  so  engaged ;  as  for  instance : 
"  June  8th,  from  the  18th  May  to  this  time,  I  have  been 
more  or  less  concerned  every  day  in  worldly  business,  and 
could  not  get  disentangled  therefrom."  Was  he,  it  will 
naturally  be  enquired  by  some,  all  this  time  a  burthen  of 
expense  (in  no  other  respect  could  such  a  man  be  a  bur- 
then to  those  who  loved  him  best)  to  his  father  ?  To  this 
not  unreasonable  enquiry,  it  may  be  replied,  first — it  is 
certain  that  upon  his  father  devolved  mainly  the  necessity 
of  supporting  his  son ;  which,  however,  there  is  no  reason 


92  MEMOIRS  OiyTHE 

to  believe  he  at  this  time  felt  to  be  burthensome.  Secondly, 
as  they  appear  to  have  kept  no  servant,  and  his  sisters 
being  too  young  to  be  entrusted  with  housekeeping,  he 
seems  not  only  to  have  attended  to  their  education,  but 
to  have  managed  entirely  the  domestic  affairs  of  their 
little  establishment — innumerable  proofs  of  his  being  thus 
engaged  daily  while  at  home  occur  in  the  diary.  Thirdly, 
he  did,  moreover,  occasionally  at  least,  employ  himself  in 
writing,  &c.  as  noticed  before.  Fourthly,  and  this  is  very 
important — so  far  from  being  idle,  in  any  sense  of  the 
word,  he  was  indefatigable  as  a  student  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  of  works  of  Theology  ;  and  Fifthly,  he  had 
a  strong,  an  abiding,  and  a  reasonable  presentiment,  that 
God  had  designed  him  for,  and  would  in  his  own  time  and 
way,  bring  him  into  the  ministry.  These  remarks  are 
not  made  with  the  view  of  justifying  at  all  a  similar  course 
in  any  other  individual ;  much  less  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
ducing any  other  young  man  to  adopt  a  like  conduct ; — 
but  merely  for  the  requisite  purpose  of  showing,  that  if 
Mr.  Summerfield  was  led  by  his  peculiar  circumstances  to 
pursue  a  line  of  conduct  in  this  respect,  which,  according 
to  the  usual  arrangements  of  providence,  some  might 
regard  as  an  exception  to  the  general  rule,  the  result,  in  his 
case,  justified  the  experiment. 

It  is  pleasant,  however,  to  turn  from  these  onerous  ex- 
tenuations of  his  conduct  in  one  particular  relation,  to  the 
gratifying  fact,  that  having  found  access  to  the  pulpit,  and 
acceptance  among  the  preachers,  he  resolved   to  devote 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  93 

himself  with  double  diligence  to  secure  the  richer  and 
more  abundant  outpourings  of  the  spirit  of  God  upon  his 
own  soul.  For  instance  : — "  May  6th,  rose  at  5,  and  retired 
into  the  garden  for  meditation  and  prayer,  which  occupied 
me  an  hour.  I  find  I  should  grow  in  grace  more,  if  I 
prayed  in  private  more  ;  all  the  public  means  of  grace  will 
not  compensate  me  in  this  respect.  By  the  grace  of  God, 
and  relying  on  his  divine  aid,  I  purpose  beginning  from 
this  day  to  pray  in  private  five  times  every  day."  How- 
ever improbable  it  may  be  that  he  should  have  long  kept 
such  a  resolution,  or  questionable  the  propriety  of  having 
vowed  to  keep  it  at  all,  it  appears  from  subsequent  allusion, 
that  it  was  observed  by  him  at  least  for  some  time  with 
religious  scrupulosity,  and  corresponding  advantage. 
Every  thing  done  faithfully  to  the  Lord  hath  its  peculiar 
reward. 

They  who  have  most  largely  experienced  the  influences 
of  the  grace  of  God,  and  consequently  discovered  most 
deeply  the  innate  corruption  of  their  own  hearts — are 
alone  able  to  understand  what  is  meant  by  those  tempta- 
tions from  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  to  which  a 
spirit  seeking  to  increase  in  holiness  is  peculiarly  exposed. 
To  such  only,  will  the  following  sentence  be  at  all  intel- 
ligible, occurring,  as  it  does,  amidst  notices  of  prayer,  almost 
literally  "  without  ceasing,"  and  the  most  unremitting  ex- 
ertions for  the  salvation  of  souls: — "Unceasing  meditation 
on  the  word  of  God — Private  prayer — and  self-examina- 


94  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

tion  in  the  presence  of  God — Oh,  my  sins  of  Omission, 
Omission,  Omission. 

'Lord,  grant  me  mercy  for  the  past, 
And  grace  for  time  to  come.' " 

Such  was  the  daily  practice — such  the  ingenuous  confes- 
sion of  the  conscientious  John  Summerfield,  when  a  chris-* 
tian  of  little  more  than  twelve  months  standing.  "  Who 
then  is  that  faithful  and  wise  servant,  whom  his  Lord 
when  he  cometh  shall  find  so  doing  ?" — that  he  shalt  not 
have  occasion,  not  only  to  say,  "  I  am  an  unprofitable  ser- 
vant, I  have  done  only  that  which  it  was  my  duty  to  do," 
— but  rather  to  cry  "  Omission,  Omission,  Omission !" 

Sunday  morning,  June  14th,  half  past  8,  "  came  home 
(from  preaching ;)  my  mind  was  in  an  unusually  happy 
frame  this  morning ;  I  could  weep  all  the  day  long  ;  I  fear 
some  temptation  is  at  hand — I  could  scarcely  restrain  my 
feelings  under  family  prayer.  I  retired  immediately  to 
the  garden,  and  such  a  sweet  powerful  time  of  prayer  I 
don't  remember."  This  is  a  very  touching  scene  of  per- 
sonal experience  :  but  still,  amidst  this  rush  of  happy  feel- 
ing, a  still  small  voice  whispered,  "  Rejoice  with  trembling :" 
he  was  so  happy,  that  he  feared  some  temptation  was  near. 
These  are  delicate  but  perilous  feelings ;  and  we  shall  often 
be  discouraged  if  we  measure  our  love  and  faith  by  the 
sensible  measure  of  peace  that  passeth  understanding,  and 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory,  which  are  permitted 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  95 

only  as  occasional  antepasts  of  heaven,  while  we  are  tra- 
velling through  thorns  and  briars  in  a  world  yet  under  the 
primal  curse, — though,  wherever  that  curse  hath  reached, 
blessed  by  the  footsteps  of  the  second  man,  the  Lord  from 
heaven,  who  is  with  his  servants  alway  and  every  where, 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world,  when  they  preach  the 
gospel. 

Candour,  however,  requires  that  it  be  added,  that  the  day 
alluded  to  at  the  commencement  of  the  preceding  paragraph, 
terminated  with  an  incident  much  less  pleasing  than  that 
which  characterized  its  beginning.  After  a  day  spent  in 
religious  duties,  he  remained  with  a  pious  friend  until  near 
11  o'clock,  after  which  he  returned  home,  and  "was  locked 
out — Lay  at  an  Inn  this  night."  Allusion  has  been  pre- 
viously made  to  a  mischance  of  this  kind — there  is  how- 
ever no  subsequent  instance  of  its  repetition.  Tt  was 
indeed  an  early  hour,  at  which  to  be  locked  out.  Such 
strict  family  discipline  within  doors  could  hardly  be  right 
in  this  case,  since  it  exposed  those  who  were  unfortunately 
out  of  doors  when  the  key  turned,  to  inconvenience,  ex- 
pense, temptation,  danger,  and  perhaps  scandal  as  professors 
of  religion.  It  would  be  unjustifiable  to  blame  the  father 
for  this  exercise  of  parental  authority — but  oh  !  what 
would  many  fathers,  who  have  not  such  sons  as  Summer- 
field,  give  to  open  the  door  to  their  children  of  dissipation 
at  no  later  an  hour  ?  Three  days  afterward,  in  accounting 
as  usual  for  all  his  time,  he  incidentally  writes  : — 10 
o'clock,  "came  home  and  staid  up  for  my  father  till  11 


96  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

o'clock — and    retired,  after  private  prayer  to  my  God." 


Amongst  other  pious  engagements  which  about  this 
period  occupied  the  attention  of  Mr.  Summerfield,  was 
that  of  taking  appointments  on  behalf  of  the  "  Stranger's 
Friend  Society."  This  praise- worthy  institution,  so  admi- 
rably calculated  to  exercise  the  gifts  and  graces  of  a 
zealous  convert,  was  established  in  Dublin  by  Dr.  Adam 
Clarke,  in  the  year  1790,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  and 
relieving  strangers  in  distress,  as  well  as  the  resident  in- 
dustrious and  sick  poor  of  every  denomination  throughout 
the  city  and  its  vicinity  ;  and  of  accompanying  their  visits 
with  small  gifts  of  money,  religious  instruction,  and  prayer. 
The  Society  continues  in  operation  to  this  day,  and  its 
agents  are  all  members  of  the  methodist  society,  and  con- 
sist of  three  classes,  viz.  Local  Preachers — Exhorters — and 
those  who  have  the  gift  of  public  prayer.  By  the  sub- 
scriptions and  donations  of  the  public  to  this  work  of  mercy, 
the  managers  are  enabled  to  distribute  about  five  hundred 
pounds  per  annum — sometimes  more.  The  field  of  labour 
opened  by  this  society  attracted  Summerfield  soon  after 
his  conversion  : — "  I,  who  am  myself  only  a  stranger  in 
Dublin,  am  anxious  to  become  a  stranger's  friend,"  said 
he ;  and  the  salutary  discipline  which  he  therein  experi- 
enced, quite  justified  the  following  sentiments  in  a  letter 
from  his  esteemed  friend  and  class-leader — Patrick  French : 
■ — "  I  am  very  glad  that  you  have  taken  occasional  ap- 
pointments for  the  Strangers'   Friend   Society.     I  know 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERPIELD.  97 

them  well.  They  were  my  best  friends,  and  from  experi- 
ence, I  assure  you,  that  being  directed  by  them,  either 
directly  or  indirectly,  will  secure  you  the  means  of  enjoying 
the  approbation  of  God.  When  I  joined  that  society,  I  was 
a  stranger  to  all  in  Dubjin,  with  a  few  exceptions — but 
having  given  myself  to  them,  and  their  work,  I  met  with 
some  crosses,  many  blessings,  and  abundant  consolations.'" 

It  may  here  without  impropriety  be  noted,  that  "  Social 
Meetings"  for  religious  conversation,  at  which  the  members 
of  the  various  societies  in  Dublin  took  breakfast,  or  after- 
noon tea,  together,  are  still  kept  up,  and  in  them  is  main- 
tained a  general  and  profitable  religious  conversation,  which 
is  made  a  peculiar  blessing  to  the  persons  present.  These 
interviews  were  very  interesting  to  Summerfield,  and*  fre- 
quent allusions  to  them  occur  in  the  Diary  :  the  following 
exhibits  a  delicate  trait : — "  attended  our  social  meeting. 
Arranged  for  the  ensuing  breakfast — It  is  my  turn  to 
invite — I  will  therefore  invite  my  father,  as  we  expect 
William  Bunting,  Mr.  Gaulter,  &c.  to  it,  and  I  know  I 
could  not  give  lnm  a  higher  gratification." 

On  the  23d  of  June,  he  made  the  annexed  memoran- 
dum, which  appears  too  interesting  to  be  omitted:  "Mrs. 
Campbell  has  desired  my  father  to  let  me  spend  the  entire 
of  this  day  with  her  dying  son.  May  I  go  filled  with 
the  spirit  of  prayer  ! — I  went,  &c.  I  staid  there  to  break- 
fast, and  remained  till  2  o'clock.  He  is  very  happy ;  I 
read  Baxter's  dying  thoughts  for  him,  and   commented 


98  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

thereon :  I  prayed  with  the  family — my  own  soul  was 
watered  also." — After  dinner,  he  adds,  "  Mrs.  Campbell 
has  desired  me  to  spend  the  whole  night  with  William. 
I  am  very  unwell  myself ;  yet  if  it  be  the  will  of  my  Mas- 
ter, I  will  go  notwithstanding  this."  He  went  accordingly, 
but  found  his  friend,  "  no  more  a  man  !  he  was  now  be- 
come an  angel ;  1  remained  with  the  beautiful  clay  all 
night — Oh  !  that  I  was  landed  as  safely  beyond  the 
stream  !"  How  short  a  time  sufficed  to  realize  this  ardent 
aspiration ! 

The  precision  with  which  he  notes  the  various  emotions 
connected  with  the  composition  and  delivery  of  his  pulpit 
discourses  ;  and  his  record  of  the  slightest  intimations  of 
approbation  or  otherwise,  expressed  by  the  preachers,  all 
tend  to  illustrate  the  undoubted  fact,  that  he  very  carefully 
watched  every  movement  of  the  finger  of  God  in  this 
momentous  affair.  Indeed  it  is  evident,  from  several 
incidental  expressions,  that  his  mind  was  labouring  from 
day  to  day,  in  anxious  suspense,  as  if  he  waited  for  some 
providential  change,  some  call  from  God,  which  should 
decide  the  future  course  and  complexion  of  his  life.  He 
seems  loss  to  have  aimed  at  a  distinct  object — consciously 
at  least,  than  to  have  expected  some  such  manifestation  as 
should  decide  for  him :  it  is  indeed  abundantly  evident,  that 
with  heart,  soul,  mind,  and  strength,  he  had  been  preparing 
for  the  ministry,  and  longing  to  be  clearly  and  effectually 
brought  into  it, — not  of  his  own  will  only,  but  by  the  will 
of  God :  indeed,  the  former  appears  to  have  been  so  reso- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  99 

lutely  submitted  to  the  latter — so  conscientiously  sacrificed 
to  it — that  he  was  hardly  aware  of  its  survival  in  himself. 

This  perfect  resignation  accounts,  too,  for  that  absence  of 
anxiety,  so  nearly  resembling  indifference,  with  which  he 
regarded  any  prospect  of  a  permanent  situation ;  for  in- 
stance, after  naming  an  individual,  he  says — "  He  proposed 

for  my  acceptance  the  probability  of  a  situation  in 

of  60  or  701.  pe#  annum.  Judging  that  this  might  be  of 
God,  I  told  him  that  if  it  offered,  I  would  not  refuse  it — if 
it  be  thy  will,  my  Lord  !  open  thou  the  way."  The  way 
however  remained  closed — God  had  other  work  for  him 
to  do. 

Under  July  13th,  he  writes: — "Heard  Gideon  Ousely,  on 
loving  God  with  all  the  heart,  mind,  soul,  and  strength. 
Came  home,  and  after  sweet  private  prayer,  retired.  I 
was  much  blessed  under  Gideon  Ousely,  and  very  near 
the  attainment  of  the  blessing  I  so  much  desire.  My  mind 
was  kept  in  a  sweet  frame  all  the  evening.  Is  a  fall,  or 
even  a  deep  temptation,  at  hand  ?"  Next  morning,  he  con- 
tinues, "  found  Jesus  remarkably  present ;  I  could  scarcely 
do  any  thing  this  morning  but  pray  and  weep.  I  don't 
know  when  I  was  in  so  happy  a  frame  :  my  head  was  a 
fountain  of  tears,  my  heart  was  broken,  and  the  healing 
balm  began  to  flow  into  my  soul.  I  fear  I  shall  slip  :  this 
happy  frame,  is  to  me  a  presage  of  a  sore  temptation — 
watch  and  pray." 


100  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

A  powerful  temptation  icas  at  hand.  Satan,  who  had 
laid  a  snare  in  the  way  of  a  secular  engagement,  into 
which,  much  against  his  inclination,  Mr.  Summerfield  had 
to  enter  the  following  afternoon,  was  but  too  successful  in 
bringing  his  conscience  into  bondage.  The  enemy  having 
so  far  succeeded  with  the  temptation,  then  came  in  as  a 
flood  upon  him.  "  I  felt  (says  he)  the  conflict  between 
conscience  and  Satan,  and  in  two  attacks  I  gave  him  the 
repulse :  he  renewed  the  effort,  and  mji  will  consented. 
Oh,  the  mercy  that  God  did  not  strike  me  dead  !"  He 
felt  unutterable  pangs  of  conscience,  at  the  recollection  of 
this  fault,  (having  while  settling  an  affair  of  business,  been 
induced  to  take  a  part  of  a  pint  of  porter,  which,  as  he 
was  unaccustomed  to  it,  affected  his  head,)  and  when  he 
reached  home,  he  indeed  knelt  down  in  his  agony,  but 
instead  of  that  sweet  intercourse  with  heaven,  which  he 
had  experienced  on  the  preceding  evening,  he  could  not 
even  speak  in  prayer ;  his  strength  had  departed,  and 
amid  bursting  sighs,  and  with  a  heavy  heart,  he  retired  to 
rest. 

The  following  morning  he  rose  at  half  past  five,  and 
attempted  to  pray ;  "  but  oh  !  (he  exclaims)  how  dead  was 
every  power  of  my  soul — Father,  forgive,  forgive  !"  In 
the  evening,  he  preached  to  the  old  men,  at  the  hospital, 
from  James,  chap.  iv.  8 — 10.  "  Draw  nigh  to  God,  and 
he  will  draw  nigh  to  you.  Cleanse  your  hands,  ye  sinners ; 
and  purify  your  hearts,  ye  double  minded.  Be  afflicted, 
and  mourn,  and  weep:  let  your  laughter  be  turned  ,o 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  101 

mourning,  and  your  joy  to  heaviness.  Humble  yourselves 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  lift  you  up." 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  advantages  of  this  sermon 
to  the  hearers,  the  preacher  appears  to  have  experienced 
the  blessing  promised  in  the  text :  "  I  had  (says  he)  no 
power  in  myself ;  however,  sinful  as  I  am,  I  put  the 
Lord  to  his  promise,  and  found  him  faithful — my  natural 
impediment  (of  speech)  was  gone,  and  I  never  spake  so 
free  from  it  before. — It  was  a  blessed  time,  and  I  myself 
was  refreshed. — Strange  to  say,  after  the  meeting,  I  lost 
this  liberty  of  speech,  and  could  not  speak  three  words 
together."  He  then,  in  connexion  with  a  subsequent  en- 
gagement and  blessing  on  the  same  day,  makes  the  fol- 
lowing curious  remark  with  reference  to  a  peculiar  affec- 
tion in  the  muscles  of  his  tongue,  which  he  occasionally 
mentions.  "  Was  at  Gravel  Walk  prayer  meeting — I 
was  called  to  the  desk,  to  conclude  the  meeting ;  I  never 
was  in  such  a  state  before  :  I  could  not  even  speak !  This 
is  truly  my  thorn  in  the  flesh. — However,  I  raised  my 
heart  and  eyes  to  heaven,  and  gave  out, l  Salvation,  oh  !  the 
joyful  sound  !'  &c.  I  cast  myself  into  my  Saviour's  anns, 
and  began  to  pray  ;  but  oh  !  wonderful  to  tell !  my  tongue 
was  loosed ;  the  Holy  Ghost  came  down  ;  nothing  but 
loud  weeping,  and  echoing  amens,  were  heard  in  all  parts 
of  the  house,  and  my  own  voice  lost.  The  power  was 
evidently  of  God,  and  not  of  man — I  believe  many  will 
have  cause  to  remember  it." 

As  this  is  the  only  instance  of  his  being  so  overtaken, 
i2 


102  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

which  occurred  in  the  whole  course  of  his  christian  life,  it 
may  be  thought  by  some  of  the  readers  of  these  memoirs, 
that  the  strictest  fidelity  in  a  biographer  hardly  required 
the  introduction  of  such  a  comparatively  trifling  incident. 
If,  however,  any  individual  who  may  happen  to  peruse 
these  pages,  should  be  so  unhappily  constituted,  as  to 
derive  any,  even  the  slighest,  motive  for  exultation  in  this 
"  fault  of  his  brother," — let  such  an  one  remember,  that 
the  foregoing  circumstance  is  mentioned,  not  even  to  gra- 
tify an  idle  curiosity,  but  rather  as  the  only  proof  I  shall 
henceforward  be  able  to  produce,  on  the  ground  of  any 
overt  defalcation  in  his  religious  conduct,  that  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield,  amidst  all  his  excellencies,  was  "  a  man  of  like 
passions  with  ourselves."  On  the  other  hand,  if  any 
young  man  of  sanguine  temperament,  should  in  some 
unguarded  moment  have  sinned  "  after  the  similitude  of  his 
transgression,"  let  him  imitate  this  penitent  disciple  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  in  seeking  pardon,  and  like  him  he  will 
find  it. 

It  will  be  no  trespass  on  the  reader's  patience  to  notice 
another  entry,  made  on  the  evening  of  the  day  last  men- 
tioned : — "  Came  home,  and  after  much  fervent  prayer,  in 
which  I  found  Jesus  ready  to  give  me  the  kiss  of  peace, 
but  yet  some  hinderance  in  me  retarded  it — I  retired  to  rest, 
and  sensibly  felt  I  should  close  my  eyes  under  the  protec- 
tion of  Heaven.  Oh  !  for  a  thousand  tongues  ;  a  thou- 
sand, thousand  tongues  !"  It  may  not  be  uninteresting 
just  to  remark,  in  reference  to  a  striking  phrase  in  the 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  103 

preceding  extract,  that  in  the  Moravian  "  Reception  Litur- 
gy," as  it  is  called,  there  is  a  Hymn,  beginning, 

"  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord !" 

This  is  sung  on  the  reception  of  members  into  the  con- 
gregation, and  contains  the  following  line  : — 

"May  He  give  you  his  kiss  of  peace." 

The  phrase  is  evidently  a  recollection  of  Summerfield's 
school  exercises  at  Fairfield,  and  is  used  by  him,  as  well 
as  among  the  brethren,  to  denote  pardon,  acceptance,  and 
fellowship  with  the  Lord  Jesus. 

After  mentioning  with  great  humility  the  fact,  that  at 
one  place  in  the  country  there  had  been  but  five  hearers 
on  the  preceding  sabbath,  but  that  he  had  a  congre- 
gation of  twenty,  and  moreover,  that  one  of  the  friends 
complained,  that  as  some  of  the  young  men  who  had  been 
sent  out  there  were  not  such  as  they  liked,  they  would 
only  receive  three  ;  he  adds,  "  Lord  !  make  me  more  hum- 
ble— I  was  one  of  the  three  !-Thou,  oh  !  my  God,  shalt 
have  the  honour  !  I  will  put  the  crown  on  no  head  but 
thine  !  Have  I  a  gift  ?  Thou  bestowedst  it !  Oh  !  grant 
me  more  grace  /"  After  preaching  in  the  evening  of  the 
same  day,  (July  19,)  he  thus  writes  in  the  diary  : — "  It 
was  a  season  of  blessing  here  also.  Go  where  I  will,  if  in 
the  true  spirit  of  sincerity,  I  meet  my  Master — God  won- 


104 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD. 


derfully  subdued  the  thorn  in  my  flesh — I  never  spoke 
with  such  fluency  and  ease  to  myself.  Bless  and  magnify 
thy  God  !  oh  !  my  soul.  I  am  now  fasting  thirteen  hours ; 
I  have  walked  many  miles,  and  twice  preached  till  I  am 
quite  hoarse  ;  yet  I  am  neither  weak  nor  weary  ;  I  could 
go  again,  if  called  to  it,  to  hold  a  third  meeting.  He  won- 
derfully supports  my  body  on  these  occasions  ;  though  I 
want  bodily  food,  yet  having  fed  my  soul,  I  feel  no  lack." 


It  is  not  quite  clear  from  these  words,  whether  the  pro- 
tracted abstinence  to  which  they  refer  was  casual  or  volun- 
tary ;  but  from  Mr.  Summerfield's  practice,  the  latter  is 
rather  to  be  apprehended.  If  so,  what  are  we  to  say  about 
such  fasting,  and  labouring,  not  with  the  spirit  only,  in 
agony  of  prayer,  but  with  all  the  bodily  powers  in  preach- 
ing ?  This  is  a  delicate  question ;  and  though  I  shall 
neither  dispute  nor  dogmatize  in  a  matter  where  the  ex- 
ample of  our  Saviour,  the  practice  of  the  Christian  Fathers, 
the  rubrics  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  even  the  notifi- 
cations of  the  Methodist  Society,  are  express — I  cannot  but 
observe,  at  the  same  time,  that  to  the  slow  but  eventual 
substitution  of  unscriptural  austerities  against  nature,  for 
the  fruits  of  grace  in  the  soul,  may  be  attributed,  as  much 
as  to  any  other  cause,  the  demoralization  ar\^  downfall  of 
the  Romish  Church.  Fasting  must,  however,  be  good,  if 
it  is  done  with  simplicity  of  heart,  and  discretion  as  to  the 
time  and  measure  of  the  exercise.  After  all,  it  is  a  penance, 
and  may  be  a  snare  ;  for  a  tender  conscience  may  mistake 
a   yoke   gratuitously   taken   up,    and   violently   enforced 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  105 

against  nature,  for  a  cross  imposed  by  our  Saviour.  There 
is  indeed  no  command  in  the  Gospel  to  fast ;  but  divines 
have  generally  concurred  with  the  idea,  that  as  Christ 
mentions  it  with  alms-giving  and  prayer,  which  are  un- 
questionable duties,  and  moreover  as  he  may  be  said  to 
have  given  directions  concerning  the  right  performance  of 
it,  in  his  sermon  on  the  mount,  it  is  a  salutary,  if  not  a 
necessary  discipline.  It  is  a  "  voluntary  humiliation,"  and 
though  it  may  be  profitable,  yet  they  must  be  well  per- 
suaded in  their  own  minds  who  use  it,  lest  they  bring 
themselves  under  condemnation  when  they  neglect  it.  It 
may  perhaps  be  laid  down  as  a  general  and  safe  rule,  with 
few  exceptions,  that  fasting,  in  the  less  severe  acceptation 
of  the  term,  as  implying  a  partial  abstinence  from  custo- 
mary food,  the  better  to  prepare  the  spirit  for  devotional 
exercises,  is  a  sacrifice  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God ; 
whereas,  perpetual  maceration,  or  other  injurious  treatment 
of  the  body,  is  neither  to  be  practised  nor  recommended ; 
for  such  a  course  we  have  no  authority  from  Christ,  neither 
from  the  Church.  It  is  rather,  however,  to  be  feared  that, 
at  present,  the  chief  danger  lies  in  the  opposite  direction. 
The  Methodist  Conference  in  England  authorizes  what 
are  called  "  Quarterly  Fast"  days ;  the  observance  of 
which,  however,  is  either  very  lax,  or  totally  disregarded, 
among  the  society. 

Mr.  Summerfield  is  now  to  be  viewed,  as  labouring  in  a 
new  section  of  that  extensive  field  of  usefulness  providen- 
tially opened  for  him  in  Ireland.    His  father  had  been  for 


106  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

some  time  engaged  by  Mrs.  Barnes  in  the  management  of 
the  general  machine  manufactory,  in  Miller-street,  Cork  ; 
to  this  city,  at  the  call  of  his  father,  this  youthful,  lovely, 
and  zealous  apostle  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  instantly  repaired. 
He  left  Dublin  for  Cork  on  the  23d  of  July,  1818,  and  ar- 
rived at  the  latter  place  on  the  following  evening,  and  con- 
trary to  his  expectations,  no  worse  in  body,  next  morning, 
although  he  had  ridden  on  the  outside  of  the  coach,  and 
been  thoroughly  drenched  with  rain.  He  thus  notices  his 
reception  by  his  father  and  Mrs.  Barnes  :  "  Went  to  Han- 
over-street Foundry,  to  seek  my  father,  but  was  sent  from 
there  to  Miller-street,  where  I  found  him  in  good  health, 
and  experienced  from  him  another  token  of  that  love, 
which  he  has  always  manifested  towards  me.  At  9  o'clock 
I  was  introduced  to  Mrs.  B.,  the  lady  on  whose  business  I 
came  here.  I  breakfasted  with  her,  and  was  most  wel- 
comely  received.  This  day  I  employed  in  settling  myself 
in  my  new  lodgings  at  her  house."  In  the  evening,  he 
continues — "  Mrs.  B — ,  my  father,  and  I,  set  off  in  the 
steam  packet  for  Cove,  where  her  family  have  lodgings 
for  water  advantages.  I  was  highly  charmed  with  my 
new  travelling  machine,  and  with  the  surrounding  scenery : 
but  alas  !  '  This  is  not  like  my  God,'  and  yet  my  heavenly 
Father  made  all  these." 

The  next  day  being  the  Sabbath,  he  piously  and  ap- 
propriately remarks  : — "  This  morning  I  had  that  leisure, 
which  I  could  not  before  meet  with  since  I  came  to  Cork. 
I  bought  up  the  moments,  and  earnestly  dedicated  myself 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  107 

to  God  in  this  novel  country ;  I  besought  his  grace  to 
enable  me  to  walk  circumspectly  before  all,  and  preserve  a 
conscience  void  of  offence.  I  scarcely  recollect  so  great  a 
sense  of  the  divine  presence. — May  I  watch  the  finger  of 
Providence  in  this  my  call  to  this  part  of  the  country,  and 
trace  his  hand  in  all  the  events  of  my  life  !" 

The  divine  hand — for  it  was  manifestly  no  other — soon 
pointed  out  a  way  of  employment,  very  different  from  that 
which  was  the  more  immediate  object  of  his  visit  to  Cork  ; 
for  although  he  entered  promptly  upon  Mrs.  Barnes'  busi- 
ness, and  sundry  entries  occur  of  his  diligence  therein, 
yet  his  talents  and  piety  being  discovered  and  appreciated, 
he  was  presently  almost  exclusively  engaged  in  preaching 
for  one  or  other  of  the  Methodist  ministers,  who  really 
appear  to  have  had  too  little  consideration  about  his  deli- 
cate frame,  upon  which  he  had  no  mercy  himself ;  while 
the  people  exercised  still  less  forbearance  in  the  mode  and 
measure  of  their  approbation  of  his  pulpit  labours.  These 
things  find  their  solution — perhaps  their  apology — in  the 
fact,  that  the  uncommon  fervour  of  his  discourses,  was 
generally  accompanied  by  abundant  manifestations  of  the 
divine  presence. 

The  following  naive  entry  occurs,  under  Sunday,  Aug. 
2nd  : — "  This  promises  to  be  a  high  day  with  me  ;  I  found 
Jesus  truly  precious  in  my  morning  prayer. — 10  o'clock, 
went  to  Patrick  street — heard  Mr.  Waugh  on  Peace  in  all 
things,  by  all  means,  &c.  and  now,  how  can  I  describe  my 


10S  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

feelings,  when,  after  morning  worship,  Mr.  Stewart  rises 
up,  and  publishes  these  words : — c  Brother  Summerfield, 
from  Dublin,  a  member  of  the  Strangers'  Friend  Society- 
there,  will  preach  at  5  o'clock  this  evening  at  Douglas — 
Brother  Summerfield  from  Dublin,'  he  repeated. — I  knew 
not  whether  I  was  sittmg  or  standing  :  I  was  thrown  into 
such  a  state  of  perturbation — He  mistook  me  ;  I  am  no 
member  of  that  society  ;"  [not  perhaps  in  the  strict  sense 
-^-but  he  had  often  preached  for  them ;]  "  and  to  invite 
immortal  souls  to  come  to  hear  me  !  and  this  my  first  regu- 
lar sermon,  exceeded  the  powers  of  my  mind  to  bear  under ; 
— I  hurried  home,  and  found  the  way  to  my  closet — and 
found  my  God  there — Glory  to  Him  !"  At  five  o'clock,  he 
repaired  to  the  preaching  house,  which  was  crowded  to 
excess.  After  casting  himself  by  private  prayer  into  the 
arms  of  his  blessed  Master,  he  gave  out  his  favourite  Hymn, 
— "  Oh  !  what  shall  I  do,  my  Saviour  to  praise,"  and  then 
preached  three  quarters  of  an  hour  from  Romans,  viii.  32. 
He  felt  great  liberty  in  the  pulpit,  and  probably  regarded 
the  whole  service  as  a  happy  presage  of  his  future  destiny, 
for  he  thus  writes  concerning  it : — "  Thus  have  I  com- 
menced on  this  (to  me)  memorable  day.  And  now  l  I'll 
praise  my  Maker  while  I've  breath  :'  my  heart  warms  in 
the  work,  and  I  am  determined  to  lay  myself  out  for  God." 

How  emphatically  he  acted  upon  this  determination,  the 
subjoined  entry,  relative  to  his  engagement  on  the  follow- 
ing Wednesday,  will  partially  show: — "7  o'clock,  I  set 
off  to  Blackpool ;  the  place  was  again  crowded  to  excess. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  109 

Oh  !  my  God,  did  I  speak,  and  did  they  hear,  for  eternity  ! 
I  was  as  wet  with  the  heat  as  if  I  had  been  dragged 
through  water.  I  exerted  too  much,  and  preached  near 
an  hour  ;  besides  the  singing  and  prayer  :  but  who  could 
forbear  ?  If  I  injure  my  body,  I  cannot  restrain  : — I  hur- 
ried home ;  muffled  up  as  well  as  I  could,  and  got  to  bed." 
Well  might  his  record,  next  morning,  be,  "  I  find  myself 
very  unwell  from  last  night ;  and  therefore  (he  continues) 
obtained  a  respite  from  further  labour,  the  remainder  of 
this  week  ;  which  time  I  employed,  as  good  George  Howe 
says — in  mending  my  net — nay  more,  in  employing  the 
aid  of  Him,  who  can  direct  me  how  to  let  it  down  on  the 
right  side  of  the  ship."  A  day  or  two  afterwards,  when 
called  upon  to  pray  at  the  public  bands,  a  kind  brother 
whispered  in  his  ear,  "  take  care  lest  the  sword  cut  the 
scabbard."  This  metaphor,  which  is  proverbial,  is  yet 
hardly  a  correct  one.  Of  what  use  is  the  sword  in  the 
scabbard ;  by  rusting  there  it  may  consume  it — but  the 
body  is  something  more  to  the  soul  than  the  scabbard  to 
the  sword ;  the  metaphor,  however,  though  it  will  not  ex- 
actly "go  on  all  fours,"  is  sufficiently  expressive  of  the 
danger  to  be  apprehended  to  the  delicate  form  of  our  young 
preacher,  when  his  "  soul  was  sharpened,"  to  use  his  own 
words,  by  a  sense  of  the  presence  of  his  Master. 

It  was  ever  Mr.  Summerfield's  solicitude  to  avoid  not 
only  the  evil  communications  of  those,  who  were  evidently 
the  corrupters  of  good  manners — but  likewise  all  unneces- 
sary conversation  with  the  professors  of  religion  at  times 

K 


110  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

or  on  topics  not  convenient.  The  following  item  is  quoted 
for  the  purpose  of  accompanying  it  with  a  remark  which, 
although  it  may  be  disregarded,  need  not  be  taken  amiss  : 
"  after  preaching  was  over,  I  hurried  home  to  my  closet, 
lest  I  should  lose  the  blessing  by  conversing  with  any 
one."  Would  that  christians  in  general,  and  Methodists 
in  particular,  had  in  them  a  disposition  to  "  do  likewise." 
How  frequently  are  the  good  desires,  and  holy  feelirlgs 
derived  during  divine  service,  dissipated  by  that  frivolous 
conversation — or  at  best,  that  semi-religious  twattle, 
which  is  so  often  heard  on  the  breaking  up  of  our  congre- 
gations. It  is  stated  in  the  Life  of  the  well  known  Mr. 
Henry  Longden  of  Sheffield,  that,  in  consequence  of  a  re- 
mark once  made  to  him  on  this  subject  by  a  worthy  Qua- 
ker, the  man  of  God,  just  named,  always  made  it  a  rule 
with  himself  and  family  to  depart  directly,  and  in  silence, 
from  his  place  of  worship  to  his  home. 


RET.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  Ill 


SECTION  VII. 

Controversy  about  the  Sacrament — the  Clones  party — Sum- 
merfield  becomes  a  popular  preacher — preaches  almost  inces- 
santly— ministerial  anxieties — travels  and  addresses  large 
auditories  in  Ireland  with  great  success. 

A  little  before  this  period,  an  important  question,  which 
had  previously  distracted  the  Society  in  England,  and 
which  was  amicably  settled  in  America  in  the  year  1784, 
was  legally  mooted  in  Ireland  ; — I  allude  to  the  disputed 
propriety  of  administering  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  in  the  Methodist  chapels,  and  by  ministers  not  re- 
gularly ordained  according  to  the  formula  of  the  church 
of  England.  I  have  no  disposition,  in  this  place,  to  go 
over  the  grounds,  or  into  the  merits  of  this  really  perplex- 
ing question ;  suffice  it,  however,  here  to  observe,  that  it 
assumed  so  serious  and  agitated  an  aspect,  that  bad  men 
rejoiced,  and  good  men  were  alarmed,  at  the  prospects  of 
Methodism  in  Ireland.  Two  parties  being  thus  unhappily 
created,  that  which  originated  in  a  mere  question  of  dis- 
cipline, soon  became  a  matter  of  property,  and  ultimately 
of  law :  for  as  the  chapels  were  generally  settled  upon  trust 
deeds,  although  at  the  same  time  in  connexion  with  the 


112  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Conference,  the  major  sentiment  of  the  trustees  inclining, 
in  different  places,  respectively  to  one  side  or  the  other, 
brought  the  subject  into  the  justiciary  courts  of  Dublin. 
Although  the  trials,  which  lasted  some  time,  were  con- 
ducted against  the  Conference,  with  equal  talent  and  acri- 
mony, it  was  eventually  ruled,  that  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
English  Conference  had  been  established  in  Ireland,  by 
the  recognition  of  a  delegate  commissioned  therefrom,  as 
president  of  the  Irish  conferences.  Here,  however,  the 
matter  did  not  end ;  the  waves  of  opposition  had  rolled 
too  boisterously,  to  subside  in  a  moment :  a  new  party  was 
formed,  designated  indifferently  from  Clones,  the  head 
quarters  of  the  opposers,  or  from  Mr.  JLverill,  an  influential 
leader  thereof.  I  would  willingly  have  avoided  all  far- 
ther allusion  to  this  unpleasant  schism,  were  it  not  material 
to  notice,  First,  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  which  Mr. 
Summerfield  was  placed,  from  the  frequent  contact  into 
which  he  was  brought  with  the  seceders,  by  the  intersection 
of  their  respective  spheres  of  operation ;  and  moreover, 
the  fact,  that  he  was  not  only  tempted  by  various  indirect 
means  to  join  the  Clones'  party,  but  actually  solicited  by  the 
leader  to  enrol  himself  amongst  them.  Secondly,  because 
it  was  the  opinion  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  Society  in  Ire- 
'land,  and  by  implication  apparently  of  Mr.  Summerfield 
himself,  that  he  was  raised  up  by  God,  especially  at  this 
juncture,  to  counteract  the  mischievous  consequences  of 
such  a  division :  and  it  must  be  admitted,  that,  when  every 
thing  is  taken  into  the  account,  it  was  neither  presumptu- 
ous in  him,  nor  fanatical  in  his  friends,  to  come  to  such 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  113 

a  conclusion.  With  reference  to  hisv means  of  judging  the 
merits  of  the  case,  it  may  be  observed,  that  while  the  trials 
were  going  on  in  Dublin,  he  was  an  anxious  and  sedulous 
attendant  at  the  courts ;  so  that  he  was  thoroughly  inform- 
ed of  all  the  legal  evidence  on  both  sides.  Of  his  respect, 
forbearance,  and  prudence  toward  the  opposers,  let  them- 
selves be  the  judges,  or  let  the  pages  of  his  diary  testify ; 
— though  I  shall  introduce  as  few  of  the  entries  relative  to 
this  topic,  as  may  be  compatible  with  a  delineation  of  his 
ministerial  progress. 

His  popularity  at  this  time,  and  under  the  above  named 
circumstances,  placed   him    between   the    horns   of  that 
dilemma,  upon  one  or  other  of  which  a  sensitive  man's 
feelings  are  sure  to  be  impaled,  even  if  nothing  worse 
befal  him.     In  consequence  of  some  slanderous  remarks 
which  had  been  made  concerning  him  to  Mr.  Stewart,  he 
resolved  to  lay  aside  his  public  labours  in  Cork,  for  the 
present,  and  even  to  give  up  an  engagement  to  preach, 
which  he  had  made  there  ;  this  was  August  28th.     Next 
morning,  while  travelling  on  the  steam  boat  to  Cove,  he 
observes,  "  my  mind  was  much  led  out  into  the  case  of 
Jonah  ;  like  him,  I  was  fleeing  from  the  Lord's  work,  in 
which  I  should  have  been    engaged  to-morrow, — being 
appointed  for  Douglas.      I  prayed  that  my  God  would 
pardon  this  my  sin;    I  would  gladly  have  returned  to 
Cork,  if  I  could  have  done  so  ;  however,  I  vowed  to  Him 
that  I  would  not  again  shrink  from  the  cross,  and  anew 
committed  my  soul  and  body  into  his  hands." 
k  2 


114  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

A  few  days  afterwards  he  was  distressed  by  the  injudi- 
cious affection  of  several  of  his  friends,  who,  when  he  had 
done  preaching  at  Passage,  "dragged  him  in  different  direc- 
tions," and  as  he  could  not  go  with  all,  some  were  offended  ; 
but,  as  he  justly  exclaimed,  "  what  could  I  do  ?  If  I  could 
leave  an  arm  here,  and  a  leg  there,  &c.  I  would. — My 
God,  keep  me  very,  very,  very  humble  !  I  told  them  that 
I  feared  they  would  ruin  me,  by  making  me  think  of  my- 
self above  measure,  and  begged,  if  they  loved  me,  they 
would  desist."  Let  the  friends  of  popular  young  ministers 
affectionately  consider  this.  If  it  might  not  with  truth  be 
affirmed  that  Summerfield  was  absolutely  insensible  to 
such  adulation,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  he  was  as  little 
improperly  affected  by  it,  as  perhaps  any  human  being,  in 
his  circumstances,  could  be. 

His  dislike  of  participating  in  any  engagements,  which 
were  not  exclusively  spiritual  in  their  object  or  tendency, 
has  been  repeatedly  noticed.  On  the  1st  of  September,  after 
mentioning  the  kind  entertainment  which  he  met  with  in 
a  respectable  family,  he  adds — "  After  breakfast,  spent  a 
good  part  of  the  forenoon,  in  singing,  and  playing  sacred 
music.  But  oh  !  how  unlike  the  song  of  Moses  and  the 
Lamb  !"  In  the  afternoon,  he  was  induced,  much  against  his 
inclination,  to  join  a  boating  party,  which  had  nearly  been 
connected  with  fatal  consequences  ;  I  use  his  own  words : 
— "  I  am  not  fond  of  this  kind  of  amusement ;  but  I  could 
not  refuse.  We  were  sixteen  in  number  ;  and  were  most 
providentially    preserved   from   a   watery  grave  ;    being 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERF1ELD.  115 

thrown  into  the  most  imminent  danger,  and  glad  to  get  to 
the  shore,  struggling  through  the  water  on  a  bank  of  mud 
and  quicksand,  which  nearly  destroyed  us  : 

'  O !  how  shall  I  with  equal  warmth, 
The  gratitude  declare, 
That  glows  within  my  ravished  heart?5" 

He  was  now  frequently  placed  in  the  way  of  the  Sepa- 
ratists, sometimes  visiting  at  their  houses,  and  even  hearing 
their  preachers.  In  allusion  to  one  of  them,  occurs  the 
following  remark  : — "  He  speaks  with  the  tongue  of  an 
angel,  and  I  am  afraid  to  say  with  some,  that  God  has 
not  sent  him  ;  perhaps  it  is  to  provoke  our  Conference 
preachers  to  more  zeal  and  earnestness.  After  supper  at 
Mr.  Coxe's,  I  prayed  with  the  family,  and  we  parted."  It 
may  be  proper  to  take  this  opportunity  of  mentioning  the 
fact,  that  numerous  references  to  kindnesses  received  in 
the  family  of  the  gentleman  last  named,  especially  from 
Miss  Coxe,  occur  in  Mr.  Summerfield's  diary  about  this 
period. 

The  following  day,  he  was  invited  to  meet  an  eloquent 
Clones  preacher  at  the  house  of  a  friend.  On  his  arrival, 
he  found  thirty  persons  present,  himself  and  one  lady 
being  the  onby  adherents  to  the  Conference.    "  The  moment 

I  entered  the  room,"  says  he,  "  Mr. rose  to  salute  me. 

1  perceived  that  I  had  been  the  subject  of  discourse  before 
I  came,  and  was  fully  expected.     After  a  pause  of  a  few 


116  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

minutes,  Mr. commenced  his  discourse  to  me  on  the 

subject  of  the  separation,  and  wished  to  convince  me,  that 
I  was  not  a  friend  to  the  establishment. 

'  Oh  what  a  strife  about  a  name !' 

I  fear  the  substance  is  lost  by  many,  while  they  pursue 

the  shadow.   I  was  much  disappointed  in  Mr. .   How 

unlike  John  Wesley  !  No  serious  discourse,  no  Christian 
experience,  no  edification."  Alas  !  to  how  many  ministers 
of  the  Gospel,  besides  the  one  in  question,  are  these  regrets 
applicable. 

He  was  now  engaged  almost  incessantly,  at  one  place 
or  another,  preaching  the  word  with  increasing  acceptance  ; 
but  the  struggles  of  his  mind  respecting  the  probability  of 
his  receiving  a  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  the  re~ 
gular  manner,  and  his  providential  situation  at  this  time, 
were  strong  and  frequent.  He  was,  indeed,  placed  in  a 
most  delicate  and  difficult  predicament :  Conscious,  that 
while  he  pursued  his  present  course,  he  was  neglecting,  in 
some  degree,  his  duty  to  Mrs.  Barnes,  who  however  treated 
him  with  great  liberality,  and  at  the  same  time  anxiously 
looking  for  some  opening  whereby  God  would  bring  him 
more  fully  into  the  ministry — that  blessed  work  for  which 
his  ardent  soul  panted  to  be  entirely  given  up  ; — '''-  Ok  my 
God  !"  says  he,  "  willing  as  I  am  to  be  spent  in  thy 
service,  thou  knowest  I  often  cry  out — '  send  by  whom 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  117 

thou  wilt  send,  but  not  by  me' — and  yet  thou  hast  replied, 
'  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee  !'" 

He  had  a  great  unwillingness  that  his  father  should  hear 
him  preach,  and  had  given  up  one  appointment  on  that 
account.  On  the  15th  of  September,  he  preached  in 
Blackpool  Chapel,  from  Rom.  viii.  32.  Messrs.  Waugh 
and  Stewart  sat  with  him  in  the  pulpit.  But,  on  this  occa- 
sion, he  remarks,  "  I  never  was  so  embarrassed  as  I  found 
myself — I  never  disliked  my  own  discourse  more  ;  I  hid 
my  face  afterwards,  and  almost  vowed,  I  would  never 
again  stand  up  to  preach."  Oh  the  infirmity  of  man  ! — 
unwilling  to  be  humbled — dissatisfied  if  he  cannot  please 
himself  in  serving  God  !  The  congregation  was  large  ;  and, 
addecl  to  the  perturbed  state  of  his  feelings  on  this  account, 
what  was  his  surprise  to  learn  on  his  arrival  at  home,  that 
his  father  had  been  one  of  his  hearers  ;  this  discovery,  and 
the  recollection  of  his  defects,  abashed  him  a  good  deal. 
His  father,  however,  assured  him  that  he  had  been  profited  ; 
and  a  pious  man,  to  whom  he  mentioned  his  temptation  to 
desist  from  preaching,  warned  him  in  God's  name  not  to 
do  it.  Next  morning  he  went  to  preach  at  Patrick-street 
Chapel.  Here  he  exemplified  the  danger  of  relying  too 
much  upon  present  "  frames  and  feelings,"  without  taking 
into  the  account  other  evidences  of  the  divine  favour.  The 
following,  and  several  similar  statements,  prove  in  Mr. 
Summerfield's  case,  as  in  many  others  that  might  be  men- 
tioned, how  emphatically  it  may  be  asserted,  that  he  who 
has  "  abundance  of  revelations,"  needs  no  other — needs  no 


118  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

sharper  thorn  in  the  flesh — no  messenger  of  satan  more 
tormenting  and  harassing  than  this — the  perpetual  buffet- 
ing of  the  temptation  to  seek  his  own  glory,  while  he  is 
promoting  God's.  But  to  quote  the  entry  referred  to — "If 
ever  the  enemy  was  permitted  to  buffet  me,  surely  this  was 
the  time.  I  had  my  thoughts  taken  from  me,  and  in  this 
state  I  began  to  roam,  I  know  not  where  :  I  would  have 
given  all  the  world  to  have  been  out  of  the  house  ;  and 
after  I  had  concluded,  I  remained  till  all  the  people  had 
retired,  that  I  might  escape  home  unperceived.  My  God, 
is  this  from  thee  ?  Oh  !  my  Father,  send  by  whom  thou 
wilt  send,  but  not  by  me ;  I  cannot — I  cannot  preach  I 
Perhaps  God  has  withdrawn  his  light  from  me  ;  I  know 
I  might  have  been  more  faithful ;  but  oh  !  my  God  !  yet 
bear  with  me.  I  did  dedicate  myself  to  thee  ;  but  if  thou 
hast  nought  for  me  to  do,  remove  me  out  of  this  world 
altogether  ;  I  only  wish  to  live  to  promote  thy  ci*use  !" 
Surely  these  agonies  of  anxiety  ought  to  have  been  some- 
what allayed,  by  the  consideration,  that  his  preaching  was 
accompanied,  not  only  by  the  power  of  God,  but  by  the 
applause  of  men,  and  abundantly  rewarded  by  the  affection 
of  the  people  of  God — indeed  sufficiently  so  to  tempt  the 
vanity  and  ambition  which  is  in  every  human  heart. 
That  Summerfield  had  a  sincere  desire  to  .do  the  work  of 
an  Evangelist  in  simplicity,  was  abundantly  evident  to 
others — but  he  did  not  know  himself  fully  at  this  time. 
"  Who  can  understand  his  errors  ?  Cleanse  thou  me  from 
secret  faults  !"  Psal.  xix.  12.  It  may  be  proper  to  add 
an  item  relative  to  his  very  next  sermon  : — "  I  preached  to 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  119 

a  large  congregation,  on  these  words,  '  Come  now,  and  let 
us  reason  together,'  &c.  Isaiah  i.  18.  God  wonderfully 
assisted  me  ;  he  again  returned  to  my  help,  and  it  was  a 
season  of  blessing  to  all  our  souls — Glory  to  God  !" 

Every  incident  that  reminded  him  of  the  venerable 
founder  of  Methodism,  seems  to  have  excited  in  his  mind 
strong  desires  to  emulate  the  labours  cf  that  illustrious 
man.  In  a  collection  of  wax  figures  which  he  was  taken 
to  see  at  Cork,  nothing  interested  him  so  much  as  "  that 
man  of  God,  John  Wesley."  Again,  in  the  subjoined 
graphic  sketch  : — "  I  could  not  help  thinking  how  like  a 
travelling  preacher  I  was  just  then :  a  boy,  whom  I  had 
hired,  walked  before  me  with  my  travelling  bag,  like  a 
preacher's  portmanteau,  and  I  was  hurrying  after  to  meet 
immortal  souls,  who  were  waiting  for  me.  John  Wesley 
rushed  on  my  mind. — Oh  !  that  I  had  his  spirit,  his  zeal, 
his  piety, — then  indeed  I  should  be  a  burning  and  a 
shining  light  in  the  world."  Again : — "  I  have  now  preach- 
ed six  times  this  week  ;  and  yet  what  is  this  to  the  zeal 
of  a  Wesley  or  a  Coke  ?"  Surely,  when  we  regard  the 
"  more  abundant'  labours  of  this  devoted  man,  there  was 
much  propriety  in  the  designation,  "  Young  Wesley"  which 
was  frequently  applied  to  him  at  this  and  an  after  period 
of  his  career. 

In  connexion  with  a  previous  remark  relative  to  his  diffi- 
dence in  the  presence  of  his  *ather,  (himself  au  occasional 
preacher.)  I  cannot  forbear  transcribing  the  following  pas- 


120  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

sage  : — "  For  the  first  time,  I  took  up  a  cross  which  I  had 
not  before  borne ;  namely — preaching  where  my  father 
was,  to  my  knowledge,  a  hearer ;  he  walked  with  me  to 
the  chapel,  and  I  could  not  refuse  his  request.  He  sat  just 
under  the  pulpit,  and  I  observed  that  he  wept  all  the  time." 
Some  sons  make  their  fathers  weep  bitterly,  but  these 
were  tears  of  joy  and  love. 

So  interesting  was  the  appearance  and  so  fascinating 
the  eloquence  of  this  young  evangelist,  that  many  persons 
who  had  never  heard  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  probably 
would  not  have  been  prevailed  upon  to  hear  any  other, 
attended  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Summerfield  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Cork.  Whether,  however,  these  were  Church- 
men, or  Catholics  ;  persons  bigoted  against  Methodism,  or 
mere  men  of  the  world  ; — all  were  delighted  and  edified  by 
the  fervour  and  simplicity  of  his  sermons.  While  he 
laboured  to  acquit  his  conscience  in  speaking  faithfully  to 
all  who  heard  him  ;  with  the  meekness  of  wisdom  he 
sought  to  turn  to  profitable  account  even  the  slanders  of 
foolish  or  wicked  men  : — "  May  I  never,"  says  he,  on  one 
occasion, — "  forget  the  caution  which  a  false  accusation 
from  the  Clones'  party  has  given  me.  Oh !  how  happy 
we  should  be,  when  we  hear  our  faults  from  our  enemies ; 
our  friends  seldom  tell  them  to  us ; — too  seldom." 

Under  the  date  of  28th  September,  there  is  an  entry  which 
seems  to  point  to  the  anniversary  of  his  spiritual  birth-day: 
— "  I  recollect  it  was  this  ni"[ht  twelve   months,  that  I 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  121 

joined  the  Methodist  Society  ;  and  so  God  has  kept  me 
one  year  ! — Oh  !  how  unfaithful  I  have  been  !  My  God 
forgive — forgive  the  past !  Oh !  may  I  be  more  faithful 
in  time  to  come  !  one  year  !  oh !  eternity  ! — This  evening 
I  renewed  my  covenant  with  God  ;  may  He  who  could 
keep  me  one  year,  keep  me  for  ever  P  One  year  only, 
since  he  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Society — yet 
such  a  preacher,  that  he  even  dreams  (as  he  did  a  few 
nights  previous  to  this)  that  he  is  before  the  Lord  Lieu- 
tenant and  his  Lady,  in  a  Palace  or  a  Cathedral ! — But 
oh  !  how  truly  and  sincerely  self-humbling  are  his  acknow- 
ledgements this  day.  He  is  now  alone  with  his  God,  and 
the  tempter  does  not  dare  to  disturb  him  on  tins  occasion. 
On  the  following  morning,  he  took  his  leave  of  the  con- 
gregation in  Patrick-street,  from  these  words  : — "  Keep 
yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life."  Jude,  v.  21.  He  then 
wrote  in  his  diary — "  This  day  is  the  beginning  of  a  new 
year  with  me ;  the  morning  of  this  new  year  I  have  been 
found  in  the  service  of  my  Master.  Oh  !  my  God,  where 
shall  I  be  in  the  morning  of  my  next  year  ! — But  above 
all,  where  shall  I  be  in  the  morning  of  the  resurrection  ?" 
Towards  the  beginning  of  October,  he  visited  Fermoy, 
and  preached  in  the  Court  House  to  the  largest  congre- 
gations ever  seen  in  that  place.  On  his  arrival,  he  repre- 
sents his  soul  as  having  been  in  the  happiest  frame  he 
ahnost  ever  remembered  ;  indeed,  great  grace  seems  to 
have  rested  upon  him  day  by  day ;  and  yet  such  were  the 
humbling  views  which  he  had  of  his  own  weakness  and 

L 


122  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

darkness,  that  in  the  midst  of  blessings  from  above,  he 
writes,  "  Read  Mr.  Wesley's  sermon,  '  The  Almost  Chris- 
tian'— my  own  experience  !" 

Clonmel  and  Waterford  were  next  visited  by  him ;  and 
during  the  week  which  brought  him  to  the  latter  place,  he 
had  travelled  on  horseback  seventy  miles,  and  preached 
seven  times.  He  was  really  itinerating  now.  Sir  Walter 
Scott  has  somewhere  observed — truly  enough — "  that  no 
person,  whatever  be  his  condition,  who  rides  a  horse,  ought 
to  be  either  unable  or  unwilling  to  rub  him  down,  &c.  in 
the  lack '  of  a  groom."  This  sentiment  is  far  from  being 
inapplicable  to  the  case  of  Methodist  preachers  ; — at  all 
events,  it  is  pleasing  to  find,  that  although  a  novel,  it  was 
not,  when  necessary,  a  repugnant  duty  with  Summerfield. 
In  one  instance,  occurs  this  item : — "  Cleaned  down  my 
horse."  It  would  be  difficult  to  say,  whether  that  finical- 
ness  of  manners,  which  unfits  some  preachers  for  driving  a 
nail,  or  dressing  a  nag,  if  necessary,  or  that  thoughtlessness 
which  allows  some  of  their  entertainers  to  neglect  these 
and  similar  little  duties,  is  most  reprehensible. 

He  was  received  at  Waterford  by  the  Rev.  W.  Stewart, 
the  highly  esteemed  superintendant  preacher  of  that  place. 
To  this  man  of  God,  in  whom  Summerfield  found  a  true 
friend,  he  soon  became  ardently  attached,  and  numberless 
are  the  expressions  of  regard  and  endearment  which,  in 
connexion  with  his  name,  occur  in  the  diary.  This  affec- 
tion, so  characteristic  of  Summerfield's  attachments,  was 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  123 

reciprocated  by  his  friend  ;  and  I  am  happy,  that  a  com- 
munication from  Mr.  Stewart,  while  it  affords  me  an  op- 
portunity of  expressing  personal  obligation  and  respect, 
furnishes,  at  the  same  time,  the  following  interesting  notice  of 
Summerfield's  introduction  at  Waterford.  "  He  came  from 
Cork  recommended  to  me,"  says  Mr.  S.  "as  a  local  preacher, 
by  the  late  Rev.  W.  Copeland,  who  was  then  stationed  at 
Cove ;  and  who  remarked,, in  reference  to  Brother  Sum- 
merfield's talents  for  the  ministry,  that  if  he  were  not  a 
star  of  the  first  magnitude,  he  at  least  promised  to  be  one 
of  the  first  brilliancy.  We  were  much  delighted  with  him 
in  Waterford.  He  preached  for  us  several  times ;  and  his 
sermons  discovered  a  depth  and  extent  of  scripture  know- 
ledge, and  Christian  experience,  much  beyond  his  years. 
This,  together  with  his  manner,  style  of  delivery,  and  very 
youthful  appearance,  attracted  great  congregations,  who  all 
seemed  edified* and  impressed  ;  and  retired,  wondering  at 
the  grace  of  God  manifested  in  his  person,  his  preaching 
and  his  prayers  ;  and  readily  re-echoing  the  common  sen- 
timent respecting  him — '  He  is  a  prodigy  P" 

Besides  the  crowds  of  ordinary  hearers  attracted  by  his 
popularity,  many  persons  of  rank  and  influence  went  to 
hear  him ;  and  in  one  instance,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fleury,  son  of 
the  Archdeacon  of  Waterford,  sat  with  him  in  the  pulpit,  a 
mark  of  respect  not  often  shown  to  the  Methodist  preachers  : 
but,  above  all,  Cod  was  eminently  present  in  'he  congre- 
gations. 


124  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

It  must  be  regarded  as  a  felicitous  circumstance  for  Mr. 
Summerfield  at  this  time,  that  while  he  was  in  the  habit 
of  receiving  numerous  letters  of  invitation,  and  indeed  ol 
commendation,  from  ministers  of  the  gospel,  his  corres- 
pondents were  men  of  experience  in  the  ways  of  religion, 
able  and  willing  to  give  him  the  best  advice  with  reference 
to  his  spiritual  prosperity.  Letters  lying  before  me,  written 
by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Hamilton,  Cooper,  Robinson,  Matthews, 
Cobain,  Stewart,  &c.  all  breathe  the  same  spirit.  Brief 
extracts  from  the  two  last  will  exhibit  the  bearing  of  the 
whole : — Rev.  E.  Cobain — "  Oh  !  what  shall  I  say  to  one 
I  love  so  dearly  ?  Lie  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross — Keep  close  to 
the  Bible — sit  loose  to  the  praise  of  men — If  any  good  be  done, 
sink  in  the  dust  before  God,  and  give  him  all  the  glory.''1 
Rev.  W.  Stewart — "  If  I  had  only  one  advice  to  give  you 
on  the  subject,  of  preaching,  it  would  be — preach  Christ 
and  him  crucified,  and  a  free,  full,  and  present  salvation, 
through  faith  in  his  blood  ; — whether  you  preach  to  chil- 
dren or  grown  persons,  to  the  rich  or  to  the  poor,  to  saints 
or  to  sinners,  to  the  crowded  auditory  or  the  humble  few, 
let  this  be  your  theme — Jesus  and  his  salvation — salvation 
from  sin,"  &c.  &c. 

On  Sunday,  the  8th  of  November,  he  preached  at  Cove 
his  first  Missionary  Sermon.  He  undertook  the  duty  with 
fear  and  trembling,  but  God  aided  him,  and  the  collection 
was  larger  than  on  any  previous  occasion.  On  the  fol- 
lowing Sunday,  he  preached  for  the  same  purpose  at 
Waterford,  and  notwithstanding  that  it  rained  heavily  at 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  125 

the  time  of  service,  the  collection  was  double  the  amount 
of  the  preceding  year. 

After  preaching  at  Ross,  one  evening,  to  a  .large  congre- 
gation, he  thus  alludes  to  an  unpleasant  interruption : — "the 
devil  did  not  like  my  sermon ;  he  annoyed  us  by  a  drunken 
maa,  who  threatened  to  pull  me  down;  some  of  the  hearers 
dragged  him  away,  and  Satan  was  disappointed."  A  very 
proper  representative  of  his  Satanic  majesty, — a  drunken 
man  !  But  the  devil  himself,  though  he  sometimes  chooses 
to  be  thus  "  disguised  in  liquor,"  is  always  sober  within ; 
— would  that  all  Ms  subjects  were  ;  then  would  there  soon 
be  fewer  of  them  :  indeed,  his  kingdom  would  be  in 
greater  danger  than  by  the  extinction  of  any  single  sin  ; 
for  this  is  the  "  mother  of  thousands," — to  borrrow  for  it  the 
trivial  name  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  little  wild-flowers* 
that  grows  on  the  rocks  of  Matlock  in  Derbyshire.  How 
often  has  a  similar  scene  been  presented  in  a  Methodist 
chapel !  a  brawling,  staggering,  hiccuping  drunkard,  half 
blind,  and  more  than  half  mad,  threatening  to  pull  down 
the  preacher !  Is  there  a  breathing  animal  in  human  shape 
so  great  in  his  own  eyes,  or  so  contemptible  in  the  eyes 
of  others,  as  a  drunkard — in  his  glory  1  If  he  could  see 
himself  with  their  eyes,  he  would  be  fit  to  pluck  out  his 
own,  that  he  might  never  again  look  them  in  the  face. 

Having  left  "Waterford,  he  visited  successively  Carrick, 


*  Antirrhinum  Cymbalaria. 
L2 


126  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Piltown,  Clonmel,  Cashel,  [where  he  went  to  look  at 
"that  wonder  of  art,  the  rock  of  Cashel,  where  heathenism, 
and  afterwards  popish  idolater,  held  sway";  the  great  Dr. 
Coke  trod  the  same  ground  before  him,  and  he  felt  peculiar 
emotions  on  the  reflection  that  the  doctor's  footsteps  had 
been  where  he  had  the  honour  to  tread :]  Thurles,  Tem- 
plemore,  Roscrea,  Shinrone,  Birr,  and  Mountrath,  -and 
arrived  at  his  father's  house  in  Cork  on  the  23d  of  De- 
cember ;  having  travelled  more  than  three  hundred  miles, 
and  preached,  on  an  average,  seven  times  a  week,  since  he 
left  home.  He  was  most  cordially  received  at  Cork  by 
his  "  well  beloved"  friend  the  Rev.  S.  Wood,  who  three 
months  before  had  wished  him  "God  speed,"  and  parted 
from  him  with  a  "  farewell  kiss"  at  Waterford  ;  and  who 
now  intimated  to  him  that  he  should  not  let  him  be  idle. 

This  section  may  with  much  propriety  be  closed  with 
the  reflections  with  which  Mr.  Summerfield  himself  con- 
cluded the  year  1818 : — "  This  is  the  last  day  of  the  old 
year.  Oh  !  what  shall  I  say  to  my  God  for  all  his  goodness 
to  me  in  the  past  year.  I  am  at  a  loss  for  expression.  My 
heart  is  too  full.  In  this  one  year,  I  have  first  prayed  in 
public,  and  begun  to  preach,  and  preached  in  the  metro- 
polis of  Ireland,  in  our  largest  chapel,  and  at  the  most 
public  time  ! — Oh  !  my  God,  may  I  grow  up  into  Thee 
more  and  more,  in  all  my  ways. — May  I  be  spent  for 
Thee,  who  wast  spent  for  me — may  I  glorify  Thee  con 
tinually.  Attended  the  Watch  night.  I  was  to  have  ex- 
horted, but  I  did  not  feel  my  mind  free  to  do  so,  and  hid 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  127 

myself  in  the  chapel.  Mr.  Doolittle  spoke  suitably  on 
watch  nights,  and  mentioned  three  in  the  Bible — the 
Egyptian  watch  night,  when  the  Jews  were  delivered — 
our  Lord's  watch  night  in  the  garden — Paul  and  Silas's 
watch  night." 


138  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTION  VIII. 

Returns  to  Dublin — popularity  increases — dedicates  himself 
afresh  to  God — visits  Cork — his  fervour — polemical  dis- 
cussion— falls  from  his  horse — abundance  of  his  labours — 
receives  a  Conference  appointment — Missionary  speech. 

The  year  1819,  found  Mr.  Summerfield  in  Dublin,  the 
friend  and  favourite  of  all  the  influential  Methodists  in  that 
city,  as  well  as  of  many  others, — his  popularity  just  setting 
in  with  all  the  fulness  and  freshness  of  its  spring  tide. 
Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  excite- 
ment occasioned  by  his  labours  during  the  day,  should 
aJect  his  imagination  by  night ;  and  accordingly,  as  before 
observed,  he  was  liable  to  dream  about  those  things  which 
so  unceasingly  occupied  his  waking  hours.  Notices  to  this 
effect,  repeatedly  occur  among  his  memoranda :  the  follow- 
ing has  reference  to  January  7th : — "  I  had  a  dream  to  night, 
to  warn  me  not  to  be  high-minded,  but  fear."  This  dream 
may  be  thought  at  least  a  very  seasonable  one,  when  con- 
sidered in  connexion  with  the  fact,  that  three  days  before, 
he  had  preached  to  two  thousand  five  hundred  persons, 
and  "  felt  no  fear  of  man."  Great  men  and  good  men 
have  experienced  very  opposite  emotions  when  standing  in 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  129 

the  presence  of  their  auditories.  Perhaps,  generally 
speaking,  the  spectacle  of  an  immense  multitude  to  one 
who  can  speak  to  them,  is  only  so  far  overawing  as  to  ren- 
der the  sublime  exhilaration  of  spirit  more  intense  by  that 
sweet  and  solemn  restraint,  under  which  the  mind  rises, 
instinctively,  in  proportion  to  the  pressure  upon  it ;  while 
the  effusion  of  itself,  with  all  its  burthen  of  thoughts  and 
feelings,  into  the  bosoms  of  thousands,  all  eye,  and  ear, 
and  heart,  is  better  ordered  and  more  effectual,  than  if  it 
broke  loose,  and  flooded  them,  and  lost  itself,  for  want  of 
regulating  bounds  and  controlling  influences. 

On  the  9th  of  January,  he  again  left  Dublin  to  fulfil 
several  pulpit  engagements  ;  at  the  end  of  the  first  week 
he  found  himself  at  Newagh,  having  travelled  ninety-six 
miles,  and  preached  ten  times. — Ninety-six  miles,  and  ten 
sermons,  in  seven  days  !  He  went  with  the  speed  of  a  chariot 
wheel  down  hill,  till  the  axle  catches  fire — and  it  did  catch 
fire,  and  consumed  the  vehicle  at  last.  On  the  20th,  after 
speaking  three  hours,  he  observes,  "  I  now  for  the  first  time 
lost  my  voice ;  the  groans  and  cries  for  mercy  were  beyond 
description  ;  I  could  say  no  more,  so  I  dismissed  them  with 
a  promise  to  preach  in  the  morning — may  God  help  me." 
Notwithstanding,  therefore,  that  his  voice  had  been  thus 
taken  from  him  in  mercy,  the  next  morning  found  him  in 
the  pulpit  at  8  o'clock ;  and  in  the  evening  he  was  at  Pallas, 
where,  after  speaking  for  two  hours,  he  was  obliged  to 
desist ;  and  moreover  constrained  to  confess,  "  I  never  was 
so  ill  in  my  life."     According  to  his  promise,  however,  ill 


130  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

as  he  was,  he  preached  the  following  morning,  though  his 
"  body  almost  refused  its  functions,"  and  he  rather  "  cried 
aloud,"  than  spoke  as  he  was  wont : — it  would  be  painful 
here  to  detail  the  sufferings  which  constituted  the  natural 
sequel  of  such  agonies  of  extacy. 

Now  who  would  have  dared  to  have  quenched  such  a 
spirit  ?  yet  to  those  who  may  be  seduced  to  follow  his  ex- 
ample, it  may  not  be  improper  to  give  a  word  of  caution. 
This  confessedly  is  delicate  ground  ;  but  why  not  make  a 
stand  upon  it  in  the  fear  of  God  1  whilst  the  cause  and 
glory  of  the  Redeemer  was  most  emphatically  the  primum 
mobile  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  zeal,  yet  might  there  not  be 
something  of  himself  in  these  preternatural  exertions  ?  it 
could  not  all  be  of  the  Lord.  It  would  be  wrong  to  speak 
dogmatically  on  so  tender  a  point ;  but  such  is  the  opinion 
of  one  of  the  most  pious  and  judicious  individuals  with 
whom  I  am  acquainted  ;  who  however  observed,  that  he 
should  almost  fear  to  utter  such  a  sentiment,  lest  it  should 
be  mistaken,  or  misrepresented,  or  abused.  "Who,  after 
reading  the  accounts  above,  can  help  thinking,  that  on 
such  occasions,  if  amidst  the  whirlwind,  and  earthquake, 
and  fire,  he  could  for  a  moment  have  covered  his  face,  and 
in  the  silence  of  his  spirit  have  listened,  he  might  possibly 
have  heard  a  "  still  small  voice,"  saying,  "  who  hath  re- 
quired this  of  thee  V 

And  yet,  amidst  all  these  labours,  he  records  his  resolu 
tion  : — "  I  am  determined  to  begin  this  week  with  living 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  131 

more  in  my  room,  and  in  my  bible  ;  I  have  lost  much  in 
this  respect ;  and  I  am  too  apt  to  walk  out,  and  trifle  my 
precious — precious  time !':  He  had  a  few  days  before 
laudably  "made  up  his  mind  against  Sunday  dinners  from 
home." 

It  is  matter  of  satisfaction  to  transcribe  the  following 
passage,  although  somewhat  diffuse,  from  the  entry  which 
he  made  in  his  Diary  on  the  31st  of  January.  It  shows 
how  his  whole  soul  was  on  the  stretch,  to  be  entirely  de- 
voted to  God. — "  This  is  my  birth  day  ;  oh  !  what  matter 
have  I  for  shame  and  confusion  of  face  !  When  I  look  back 
on  myself,  I  see  great  cause  for  self-abasement — I  see  that 
ever  since  I  began  to  preach,  my  time  has  not  been  im- 
proved ;  occupied  in  visiting,  (the  destruction  of  some  of 
our  young  preachers  whom  I  could  name.)  and  travelling 
from  place  to  place  ;  mixing  necessarily  with  various  com- 
panies of  people,  and  not  being  guarded  against  that  levity 
which  creeps  inadvertently  upon  me ; — all  these  combined 
have  produced  a  dislike  to  closet  duties,  meditation  of  the 
.vord,  and  prayer.  Though  I  feel  with  shame  my  short 
comings,  yet  I  am  thankful  that  God  has  not  given  me 
over  to  hardness  of  heart ;  my  conscience  is  not  yet  seared 
as  with  a  hot  iron.  I  find,  that  if  I  look  for,  and  expect 
my  God  to  own  my  labours,  I  must  live  a  life  different 
from  most  of  our  preachers,  for  whom  my  heart  melts. 
Oh,  Zion  !  oh,  Heaven ! — thy  cause  !  thy  cause  !  thy 
great  concern  !  and  yet  how  little  it  seems  to  occupy  their 
attention !     With  regard  to  many  of  them,  it  seems  to 


132  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

have  become  a  trade,  a  mere  form  !  My  young  heart  has 
been  led  astray  ! — I  thought  to  have  found  among  them 
self  denial,  gravity,  piety ! — But  ah  !  where  is  fled  the  spirit 
of  my  Master  ?  If  I  expect  God  to  bless  others  under  my 
ministry  of  the  word,  I  find  I  must  not  be  conformed  to 
them — I  find  it  necessary  to  swim  against  the  stream. 
Too  many  of  them  preach  what  they  never  practice.  Oh, 
my  Father !  enable  me  from  this  day  to  dedicate  myseli 
afresh  to  thee — 

'  Here's  my  body,  spirit,  soul, 
Only  Thou  possess  the  whole.' 

For  the  regulation  of  my  future  conduct,  the  following  is 
the  plan  I  lay  down,  which  I  intend  by  God's  grace  to  put 
in  practice — I  will  first  try  it  for  a  day ;  if  my  God  enable 
me  to  keep  it  a  day,  he  will  for  a  week ;  if  for  a  week,  a 
month — yea,  continually. 

tl  Time. — As  1  find  a  natural  sloth  attaches  itself  to  all 
my  powers,  winch  is,  I  believe,  common  to  all  men,  1 
think  there  can  be  no  better  way  of  guarding  against  it, 
than  in  observing  how  every  moment  is  spent ;  and  as  I  am 
persuaded  I  never  grew  in  grace  so  much,  as  when  I  was 
thus  employed,  as  in  the  former  part  of  this  Diary,  when  I 
accounted  for  every  hour,  so  I  intend  renewing  the  same 
plan,  and  commencing  to-morrow,  please  God. — Thus  my 
conscience  will  accuse  or  applaud  at  the  close  of  each  day. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  133 

according  as  my  time  is  employed ;  and  on  that  account,  I 
shall  peruse  it  every  night. 

"  Allow  myself  no  more  time  for  sleep  than  necessary. 

u  Prayer. — As  I  believe  no  growth  in  grace  will  take 
place  unless  there  be  regular  stated  seasons  for  private 
prayer,  I  purpose  attending  to  three  such  seasons  at  least-  ■ 
Before  I  leave  my  room  in  the  morning — before  I  retire  in 
the  evening — and  at  12  o'clock  at  mid-day ;  be  where  I 
may,  this  must  be  attended  to ;  and  I  must  go  home  to 
perform  it,  as  if  to  meet  any  other  person. — Besides  this, 
twice  family  prayer,  and  visits  to  the  sick,  &c.      , 

"  Studies. — All  my  studies  and  learning  to  turn  intd' 
the  channel  of  the  glory  of  God ;  to  read  nothing  but  with 
a  view  to  his  work  ;  and  all  my  researches  to  be  subser- 
vient to  the  Bible — to  be  '  homo  unius  UbrV  Visit  none, 
except  for  God's  glory,  and  stay  no  longer  than  barely 
necessary — guard  the  door  of  my  lips — guard  against 
levity — be  much  employed  in  ejaculatory  and  mental 
prayer,  while  lying  in  bed,  night  and  morning,  before  I 
sleep,  and  before  I  get  up — to  employ  myself  in  self-exami- 
nation, and  this  only.  Take  with  me  every  day  a  text  as 
a  motto,  to  be  employing  myself  upon  while  walking,  or  in 
my  leisure  moments — and  this  day  by  day. 

"  Never  speak  ill  of  an  absent  person,  except  the  glory 
of  God  require  it :  in  short,  to  do  all  with  singleness  of 


134  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

heart,  so  that  my  rejoicing  may  be,  that  '  in  sincerity  and 
godly  simplicity,  I  may  have  my  conversation  in  the  world.' 
May  my  God  enable  me  to  be  more  circumspect  ;  and  as 
I  commence  anew  in  preaching,  more  from  study  than 
from  art  and  memory,  may  my  life  be  commenced  anew ; 
and  may  I  die  in  the  service,  and  reign  with  him  for  ever !" 

How  just  are  the  foregoing  remarks — how  pious  the  wri- 
ter's determination  ! — There  may,  however,  be  excess,  and 
consequently  danger,  both  ways,  for  ministers.  They  must 
not  be  ascetics,  any  more  than  they  ought  to  be  merry  compa- 
nions, wasting  their  animal  spirits,  and  losing  their  gracious 
fears,  even  in  the  society  of  religious  people.  "  It  is  not  good 
for  man  to  be  alone" — even  as  a  minister,  and  a  stranger  to 
his  people  in  every  other  character ;  nor  is  it  good  to  have  a 
plurality  of  associates,  so  as  to  dissipate  the  affections  in 
their  diffusion  ;  but  there  may  be  something  like  wedded 
love  in  the  ministerial  office, — a  family  circle,  in  which  he 
may  move,  and  shine,  and  lead  the  way  to  heaven ;  ex- 
emplifying, as  our  Saviour  did,  his  doctrines  in  his  life, — 
and  making  things  lovely  in  reality,  which  in  pulpit  repre- 
sentation appear  repulsive  and  bard  to  flesh  and  blood. 
Oh,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  to  "adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things  !" 

The  absolute  distribution  of  his  time,  compels  this 
objection  against  its  imitation  by  others,  that  its  exempli- 
fication was  soon  found  impracticable,  even  by  so  rigid  a 
devotee  as  the  conscientious  Summerfield  himself.   If  men 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  135 

will  make  such  fetters  for  themselves,  they  ought  to  make 
them  at  least  loose  enough  to  correspond  with  Christ's  own 
easy  yoke,  and  not  binding  and  galling  like  the  ceremonial 
law,  which  "  neither  we  nor  our  fathers  were  able  to  bear." 
There  are  sins  enough  both  of  omission  and  commission, 
into  which  the  most  watchful  christian  will  be  hourly  in 
danger  of  failing,  without  making  occasions  for  sin,  by 
voluntary  obligations  which  become  involuntary  from  usage, 
and  from  which  the  prisoner  who  has  thus  bound  his  own 
hands  and  feet,  like  Agabus  with  Paul's  girdle,  cannot  dis- 
entangle himself,  without  bringing — not  guilt  perhaps— 
but  certainly  darkness  and  confusion  into  his  mind. 

His  determination  to  choose  a  text  every  day,  as  a  motto 
for  meditation,  was  a  most  profitable  and  easy  obligation, 
in  which  there  need  be  no  snare  to  entrap  the  tenderest 
consciences.  He  borrowed  this  from  his  Moravian  recol- 
lections. In  the  congregations  of  the  Brethren,  there  are 
two  texts,  and  lines  from  certain  hymns,  appointed  for 
meditation  every  day  in  the  year. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Mr. 
Summerfield  by  his  father,  will  show  how  devoutly  his 
beloved  parent  participated  in  the  common  satisfaction  of 
his  son's  ministerial  success.  The  letter  is  dated  from 
Cork,  February  4th,  1819.—"  Take  care  to  dwell  in  the 
divine  bosom  ;  be  faithful  in  heaven's  first  concern ;  be  a 
firm  friend  to  her  bleeding  interests ;  live  much  in  the 
closet    and    you    will    be   useful  in   the  pulpit.      Fol- 


136  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

low  the  God-Man  as  your  example  in  all  things  ; 
keep  company  with  a  Fletcher,  a  Wesley,  and  a  Bax- 
ter, who  will  shine  as  stars  in  the  firmament  for  ever. 
In  you,  God  has  {riven  me  my  heart's  desire ;  and  my  first 
concern  on  earth  is,  that  God  may  be  honoured  in  the 
accomplishment  of  his  grand  design,  in  bringing  to  glory  the 
lost  posterity  of  Adam  ;  and  my  daily  prayer  is,  that  you 
may  be  the  honoured  instrument  in  turning  thousands 
and  tens  of  thousands  to  himself ;  this  is  not  too  much  to 

ask  of  bleeding  love." 

i 

Although  his  constitution  was  at  this  period  much  shat- 
tered, his  labours  were  unremitting.  On  the  9th  of  Fe- 
bruary, amidst  notices  of  floods  of  heavenly  light  poured 
upon  certain  portions  of  Scripture,  and  uncommon  sweetness 
in  his  noon-tide  devotions,  he  incidentally  remarks,  "  My 
bodily  frame  is  quite  decayed ;"  and  yet  ten  days  after- 
ward, he  notes  that  in  the  preceding  week  he  had  rode 
forty-one  miles,  and  preached  ten  times  !  If  a  man  will  set 
his  house  on  fire,  and  employ  himself  as  long  as  he  can. 
in  throwing  his  most  precious  furniture  into  the  flames,  what 
can  he  expect,  but  that  all  will  soon  be  reduced  to  ashes  ^ 

On  the  14th  of  February,  he  preached  a  missionary 
sermon  at  Birr,  and  collected  treble  the  amount  of  any 
former  occasion.  On  the  following  day,  he  addressed  a 
large  congregation  of  children  at  the  same  place,  and 
pleased  them  so  well,  that  at  their  own  desire  a  collection 
was    made,    and  they  gave  — I.      He    often    addressed 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  137 

auditories  of  young  people  in  after  years.  Among  the 
Moravians,  he  had  been  accustomed  to  those  services, 
which  are  very  frequent  with  them,  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  "  Children's  Meetings," — and  in  such  meetings,  no 
doubt,  the  seed  was  sown,  which  on  this  very  15th  of  Fe- 
bruary was  producing  good  fruit  in  his  own  heart  and 
life,  and  enabling  him,  having  as  a  child  "  freely  received" 
of  the  good  word  of  God,  "  freely  to  communicate"  of  the 
same  to  little  children ; — aye,  and  to  obtain  an  earnest  in 
hand,  that  it  would  produce  ripe  fruit  in  due  season  in 
some  of  then  hearts. 

On  the  27th  of  February,  he  arrived  safe  at  his  father's 
house  in  Cork ;  and  declined  an  invitation  to  preach  on 
the  following  day,  because  his  "  body  required  some  rest." 
And  well  it  might  :  as  on  the  preceding  evening  he  thus 
sums  up  the  amount  of  his  labours  : — "  I  have  preached 
now  fifty  times,  since  I  left  Dublin  this  time ;  which  is 
seven  weeks  since :  and  I  have  in  that  period  travelled 
three  hundred  and  sixty-two  miles  up  to  Cork."  A  man 
may  be  prodigal  of  God's  spiritual  gifts,  as  well  as  of  pro- 
vidential ones,  and  in  both  instances  want  must  follow 
waste, — or  early  exhaustion  be  the  consequence  of  reck- 
less profusion.  Let  any  learned  and  experienced  chris- 
tian minister  say,  whether  a  young  man — twenty-two 
years  of  age,  and  scarcely  twelve  months  old  as  a  preacher — 
did  right  to  spend  and  be  spent  after  this  rate.  Travelling 
three  hundred  and  sixty-two  miles,  and  preaching  fifty 
times  in  seven  weeks  ! — "  a  frame  of  adamant,  a  soul  of 
m2 


138  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

fire,"  would  be  worn  out  with  such  perpetuity  of  feverish 
excitement ;  what  then  could  a  frail  body,  with  a  hectic 
constitution,  do — or  rather,  what  must  it  suffer,  in  such  a 
case  ?  To  adopt  an  elegant  simile  from  my  friend  Mont- 
gomery, elicited  by  a  perusal  of  the  forementioned  entry : 
I  have  seen  fire  carried  in  a  handful  of  dry  grass,  hastily, 
lest  it  should  burst  out  into  flame,  to  light  a  heap  of  stub- 
ble, in  autumn, — and  I  have  seen  it  instantaneously  con- 
sumed when  applied  to  the  materials  thus  collected.  Sum 
merfield  so  carried  his  life  in  his  hands,  and  though  he 
was  enabled  to  kindle  heap  after  heap, — at  last — and 
long  before  his  time,  as  man  would  say — he  was  compelled 
to  let  it  drop — it  fell  to  ashes — for  it  was  but  tinder  at  the 
first.  Let  others  be  warned,  who  like  him  have  the  holy 
flame  in  their  hearts,  wrapt  round  with  the  weeds  of  the 
body,  lest  that  which  burns  within,  consume  that  which  is 
without ;  and  thus  become  itself  extinct  (on  earth  at  least) 
for  lack  of  fuel.  It  ought  to  be  cherished,  not  opened  to 
the  whole  atmosphere  at  once,  any  more  than  suffocated 
by  being  too  closely  prest."  But  this  devoted  young  man, 
upon  whom  rested  so  much  of  '*'  the  spirit  and  power  of 
Elias,"  although  he  lived  a  dying  life,  experienced  in  the 
sequel  as  little  of  death  as  could  consist  with  a  translation 
from  life  to  immortality ; — indeed  his  progress  from  earth  to 
heaven  all  but  resembled  the  ascent  of  the  prophet  of 
mount  Carmel ;  in  faith,  in  labour,  in  devotion — he  "  went 
up  in  a  chariot  of  fire  ;" — who  in  England — Ireland — 
America,  hath  caught  his  mantle  ? 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  139 

Being  now  at  home,  he  was  frequently  engaged  in  busi- 
ness for  his  father  ;  this,  and  other  engagements,  led  him 
frequently  to  lament  his  defective  performance  of  many  ot 
his  birth-day  resolutions.  Indeed,  the  task  was  impractica- 
ble to  him,  as  he  was  circumstanced  :  and  he  who  attempts 
to  do  more  than  he  can,  frequently  in  reality  does  less,  be- 
cause he  spends  much  of  his  strength  for  nought,  and 
wearies  his  spirit  with  fretting  and  remorse.  To  these 
chances  the  susceptible  subject  of  these  pages  was  inevi- 
tably exposed  ;  hence  his  frequent  complaints  of  losing  or 
mis-spending  time,  in  company,  on  a  journey,  or  in  his 
father's  house. 

A  few  passages  indicative  of  his  spiritual  state  at  this 
period  will  be  acceptable.  Feb.  28.  "  I  grew  this  day  in 
grace  and  knowledge  ;  the  sacred  page  had  new  beauties 
and  ideas  to  my  soul."  March  4.  "  My  mind  has  been 
sweetly  exercising  faith  in  Jesus  this  day,  and  I  see  the 
dawn  of  day."  March  7th.  "  My  Jesus  was  precious  to 
me  this  morning ;  my  heart  was  melted  down,  and  he 
gave  me  a  sweet  foretaste  of  the  good  things  of  this  day." 
March  8.  "  I  am  quite  hoarse  to  day,  after  yesterday's  ex- 
ertions ;  but  my  Jesus  has  paid  me  for  it  all,  by  a  sweet 
sense  of  his  love,  which  I  feel  upon  me."  March  10.  "  My 
mind  is  truly  dejected  ;  for  these  last  two  days  I  have  been 
in  Gethsemane — I  long  for  the  time  of  refreshing — Come, 
my  Lord,  come  quickly — I  cried  unto  the  Lord  ;  he  heard 
me,  and  delivered  me  from  all  my  troubles.  I  seldom  had 
such  a  pouring  out  of  the  divine  glory  !     Bless  the  Lord, 


140  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

oh  !  my  soul ;  magnify  his  great  name  ! — Applied  myself 
to  reading  principally  in  the  book."  Next  morning — 
"  Commenced  my  Bible  again — my  mind  is  much  happier 
this  day  than  yesterday — I  have  a  little  faith,  a  little  love, 
a  little  labour — oh,  my  Lord,  do  thou  increase  it?"  There 
i3  nothing  more  exemplary  in  Summerfieid's  preparations 
for  ministerial  labours,  than  his  devoted  attention  to  the 
Holy  Scriptures — he  drew  water  for  himself  from  the  well- 
springs  of  salvation,  and  he  drew  it  with  joy,  that  he 
might  refresh  his  own  soul,  before  he  went  to  call  aloud 
to  others — "  Ho,  every  one  that  thirsteth,"  &c. 

Toward  the  latter  end  of  March  he  was  seriously  indis- 
posed ;  violent  pains  and  retchings  of  the  stomach,  accom- 
panied with  other  alarming  symptoms,  led  him  and  his 
friends  to  apprehend  that  danger  was  at  hand.  Ill,  how- 
ever, as  he  was,  he  neither  remitted  his  studies,  nor  forbore 
his  pulpit  labours,  while  he  could  attend  to  either.  He 
had  no  mercy  upon  himself;  nor,  as  it  appears,  were  any 
of  his  counsellors  merciful  unto  him.  There  is  but  too 
much  truth  in  the  following  extract  of  a  letter,  addressed 
to  him  by  the  Rev.  S.  Steele,  dated  April  2d : — "  I  am 
sorry  to  find  that  your  health  is  worse  than  it  was  when 
you  were  here.  Preaching  so  often  in  the  week,  to  large 
congregations,'  is  too  great  an  exercise  of  body  and  mind 
for  your  constitution — but  you  will  learn  to  be  wise,  when 
it  is  too  late.  There  are  many  of  the  Methodists,  who  in 
their  godly  zeal,  would  encourage  you  to  preach,  until  you 
would  drop  down  dead.     But  remember,  neither  God  nor 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  141 

man  will  thank  you  for  what  may  be  called  religious 
suicide.'"  And  yet  the  main  object  of  this  very  letter  was 
to  solicit  his  services  at  Roscrea  ! 

On  the  13th  of  April,  Mr.  Summerfield  attended  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  Sunday  School  Association,  in  Dub- 
lin, Mr.  Sheriff  White  in  the  chair.  On  this  occasion  he 
delivered  what  himself  calls  his  "maiden  speech,"  for 
although  he  had  prepared  his  mind  to  speak  at  a  missionary 
meeting  some  months  before,  a  change  in  the  resolutions 
prevented  him  from  saying  what  he  intended — indeed 
what  he  had  prepared — for  draughts  of  both  speeches  are 
lying  before  me — from  the  latter  of  which,  especially,  I 
would  gladly  transcribe  a  specimen,  if  it  were  possible  so  to 
translate  the  abbreviations,  and  follow  out  the  hints,  as  to 
present  the  writer's  idea :  it  would  not,  however,  especially 
in  this  instance,  be  proper  to  attempt  the  experiment. 

I  am  sorry,  that  among  the  hundreds  of  interesting  en- 
tries in  this  diary,  to  which  economy  of  space  compels  me 
to  omit  all  allusion,  must  be  ranked  the  names  of  many 
places  and  persons,  which  the  writer  has  mentioned  with 
affection.  To  omit  the  following,  would  resemble  injustice 
towards  both  parties  : — "  April  28.  We  arrived  at  Mr.  Per- 
rin's,  (at  Wicklow,)  where  we  were  most  cordially  received. 
This  family  spoil  me  with  too  much  kindness  ;  Mrs.  Nolan, 
the  eldest  daughter,  is  the  most  loving  companion  I  ever 
met  with  ;  indeed,  I  know  not  whom  to  admire  the  most  j 
Mrs.  Perrin  is  a  mother  indeed." 


142  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Polemical  disquisitions  are  rarely  introduced  throughout 
the  whole  of  ithe  voluminous  diary  to  which  reference  has 
been  so  often  and  so  complacently  made.  This  remarkable 
absence  of  allusion  to  disputed  topics,  arose  neither  from  any 
defection  or  looseness  in  Mr.  Summerfield's  religious  creed, 
nor  from  any  want  of  ability  in  him  to  comprehend  or  to 
maintain  the  beneficent  doctrines  held  by  that  great  body  of 
Christians,  with  which  he  was  united :  but  rather,  I.  That 
as  his  education  had  not  been  regularly  scholastic,  he  had  not 
been  made  to  fight  his  way  from  error  to  truth — or  rather, 
perhaps,  from  one  region  of  truth  to  another,  over  the  de- 
batable ground  of  metaphysical  distinctions  ;  and,  II.  That 
as  the  conversion  of  his  own  soul,  and  a  participation  of  the 
divine  favour,  had  been  experienced  by  him  in  consequence 
of  his  own  simple  belief  in  the  record  which  God  has 
given  of  his  Son ; — so  he,  immediately  beginning 

w  To  declare  to  all  around, 

What  a  dear  Saviour  he  had  found," 

at  the  same  time  exhorting  others  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come,  and,  as  he  had  done,  to  lay  hold  on  eternal  life — 
had,  in  consequence,  little  opportunity,  and  less  inclination, 
to  enter  into  disputations  about  "  things  not  revealed." 

That  he  would  not  shun  the  discussion  of  these  dogmas, 
when  imperiously  challenged  thereto,  and  when  to  have 
shrunk  might  have  exposed  him  to  the  imputation  of 
cowardice  at  least,  is  evident  from  the  following  extraordi- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  143 

nary  transaction,  the  account  of  which,  as  it  is  necessarily- 
derived  from,  will  therefore  be  best  introduced  in,  his  own 
words : — "  May  3.  Monday,  7  o'clock,  morning,  preached 
again,  [at  Hacket's  town,]  and  a  gracious  season  we  had 
indeed;  the  Lord  gave  us  a  new  week's  blessing. — After 
visiting  some  of  the  brethren,  Mr.  Waugh  and  I  proceeded 
to  Baltinglass,  eight  miles. 

"  Mr.  Walker,  the  great  Calvinist  preacher,  had  been 
here,  and  indeed  was  here  when  we  arrived.  He  had 
preached  in  the  town,  and  much  injured  the  minds  of  our 
people  ;  some  weak  ones  nearly  turned  aside  by  the  decrees. 
With  pain  we  heard  this  account ;  and  having  obtained 
the  sessions-house  from  Captain  Stratford,  I  preached  at  7 
o'clock,  to  an  immense  crowd,  an  Anti-Calvinist  sermon ; 
the  Lord  gave  me  great  power  and  liberty,  and  I  was  re- 
quested  to  preach  again  in  the  morning." 

"  May  4.  I  again  preached  on  the  same  subject.  The 
weak  ones  were  confirmed,  and  my  Lord  shook  the  strong 
holds  of  Calvinism,  and  maintained  his  own  truth. 

"  A  challenge  was  sent  me  by  that  party  to  dispute  on 
the  doctrines  ;  I  accepted  it,  in  the  name  and  strength  of 
my  God,  and  for  three  hours  we  debated  it.  They  were 
quite  vanquished  by  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  we  left 
Bal'inglass  in  great  prosperity." 

This,  of  course,  is  an  ex  parte  statement : — there  is,  how- 


144  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

ever,  no  occasion  to  question  its  fidelity,  because  the  writer 
was  incapable  of  wilful  misrepresentation.  Besides,  the 
entry  was  made  for  his  own  private  use  merely ;  for  Sum- 
merfield  must  have  known  very  little  of  Calvinism,  as  it  is 
called,  had  he  ever  published  to  the  world  the  triumph  in 
which  he  appears  to  have  indulged  on  the  above  occasion. 
He  may  have  vanquished  the  men  with  whom  he  had  to 
fight — and  this  is  what  he  means — for  if  he  had  indeed, 
with  the  sword  of  the  spirit,  cut  the  knot  of  God's  un- 
searchable  decrees,  and  explained  the  eternal  secret  of  the 
freedom  of  the  human  will,  still  bound  to  choose  what  it 
approves — surely  he  ought  in  mercy  to  good  men,  whether 
Methodists  or  Calvinists,  to  have  revealed  it,  and  saved 
millions  of  millions  of  pangs  and  anxieties — to  say  nothing 
of  time  saved  from  vain  disputation  on  the  subject,  in  all 
ages  to  come,  as  in  all  ages  past,  to  such  characters.  How 
easy  it  is  to  make  men  of  straw,  and  draw  them  on  hur- 
dles, and  hang  them,  and  burn  them,  either  as  Methodists, 
or  Calvinists  !  Yet  these  autos  da  fe,  on  both  sides,  are  as 
impotent  as  the  Guy  Faux  executions  of  children  on  gun- 
powder plot  day, — but  they  are  not  so  innocent.  These 
remarks  must  not  be  tortured  into  any  thing  like  a  re- 
pudiation of  Arminianism,  the  distinguishing  tenets  of 
which  the  present  writer  subscribes  to,  from  his  heart ; 
much  less  must  they  be  regarded  as  an  attempt  to  relax 
the  sternness  of  theological  truth.  It  did,  however,  ap- 
pear a  Christian  duty  to  embrace  this  opportunity  of  ex- 
horting those  who  profess  to  draw  their  weapons  from  the 
same   armoury — the   Holy    Scriptures — instead  of  using 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  145 

them  against  one  another,  to  turn  them  against  the  com- 
mon enemy. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  he  had  a  narrow  escape  with  his 
life,  in  consequence  of  a  fall  from  his  horse,  just  as  he  en- 
tered Dublin  ;  that  he  was  not  killed  on  the  spot,  nor  his 
horse  injured,  he  gratefully  ascribes  to  the  providence  of 
God.  Had  he  been  half  as  much  in  fear  of  himself,  as  he 
was  of  his  horse,  on  this  occasion,  he  might  have  escaped 
with  his  life  much  longer, — and  not  have  died,  as  he  did, 
by  a  fall  from  himself.  9 

Notwithstanding  this  misfortune,  by  which  he  received 
serious  internal  injury,  he  preached  on  the  fourth  day 
afterwards,  to  a  large  congregation,  for  the  benefit  of  a 
Female  Orphan  Asylum.  The  effect  of  this  sermon  will 
not  soon  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  it.  He  called  to 
mind  the  affection  of  his  own  mother,  and  the  motherless 
state  of  his  two  younger  sisters  ;  the  current  of  emotion 
thus  drawn  out  of  his  own  bosom,  flowed  into  the  current 
of  feeling  which  his  description  drew  from  the  hearts  of 
others ;  and  the  impression  became  so  powerful  and  general, 
that  utterance  failed  him,  and  he  sat  down,  beckoning  the 
children  to  stand  up  and  finish  the  plea  for  their  cause  with 
silent  eloquence  !  He  sat  bathed  in  tears,  and  expectorating 
a  quantity  of  blood,  which  had  collected  on  his  lungs  since 
his  accident,  and  which,  in  connection  with  his  unremitting' 
exertions,  brought  him,  as  we  shall  presently  see,  to  the 
very  gate  of  the  grave. 

N 


146  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

In  addition  to  all  that  has  been  said  on  the  subject  of 
"making  rules  to  live  by,"  see  the  following  reflections,  at 
the  close  of  May  18th : — "I  see  I  have  of  late  neglected  my' 
time  in  an  alarming  way,  and  I  find  that  when  time  is  loi- 
tered away,  grace  is  declining  in  the  heart.  I  was  much 
struck  with  an  advice  in  a  magazine,  '  to  live  by  rule' — I 
have  often  resolved,  and  often  broken  ;  in  the  strength  of 
Christ  1  will  begin  again.  I  am  resolved  to  be  in  bed  at 
10  o'clock  every  night,  and  rise  at  4. — 4 — 5  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  12 — 1  mid  day ;  5 — 6  evening,  shall  be  hours  sacred 
to  God ;  for  prayer,  meditat<jpn,  and  reading  his  word — no 
less  a  proportion  of  time  will  do  for  me :  and  half 
past  9  to  10  before  retiring.  The  remainder  of  my  time 
to  be  regularly  accounted  for,  and  dealt  out  with  circum- 
spection," &c.  What  premeditated  though  unconscious 
suicide  is  involved  in  these  resolutions !  Yet  who  could 
have  forbidden  the  self-offering  to  the  Lord  ! — but  after  all, 
as  already  intimated,  it  is  as  "  a  living  sacrifice,  holy  and 
acceptable  to  God,  which  is  our  reasonable  service ;"  we  are 
besought  "  by  the  mercies  of  God,"  to  surrender  our  bodies 
— emphatically  our  bodies,  (including  our  souls  with  all 
their  powers  and  affections,)  because  when  the  body  is  burnt 
out,  the  sacrifice  is  complete,  as  was  the  case  with  the 
victims  on  the  altar  in  the  temple  ; — whatever  service 
may  be  required  in  the  temple  not  made  with  hands,  from 
the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  it  will  not  be  sacrifice. 
The  sacrifice  on  earth,  then,  ought  to  be  made  as  perfect — 
as  long  in  endurance — as  possible.  It  will  be  in  vain  to 
say  in  defence  of  such  self-immolation  as  Summerfield's, 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  147 

that  the  "  fire  from  God"  descended  and  consumed  the 
holocaust  at  once,  like  Elijah's  on  Carm§} ;  for  even  if 
this  were  evident  beyond  doubt  (which  it  is  not)  in  his 
case,  let  others  beware  lest  they  destroy  themselves  as 
early,  by  a  conflagration  from  sparks  of  their  own  kindling. 
But  what  does  this  example  say  to  those  who  sacrifice  no- 
thing of  themselves — or  at  best,  bring  oblations  of  no  value 
to  the  Lord's  altar  ? 

At  the  close  of  the  month  of  May,  he  proceeded,  accord- 
ing to  invitation,  to  Waterfbrd,  "  where,"  says  he,  "  the 
friends  were  glad  to  see  me,  and  none  more  so  than  my 
beloved  brother  W.  Stewart ;  he  is  an  Israelite  indeed,  in 
whom  is  no  guile."  At  this  place,  he  was  seized  with  a 
profuse  spitting  of  blood,  to  which,  indeed,  he  had  become 
alarmingly  subject.  His  friends  were  justly  frightened, 
(though  himself  "  felt  happy  under  the  affliction,")  and 
called  in  an  eminent  physician,  Dr.  Poole,  who  blooded 
him  for  the  first  time,  and  interdicted  him  from  preaching : 
this  was  on  the  Saturday ;  and  yet,  as  Mr.  Stewart  informs 
me,  he  was  with  difficulty  restrained  from  appearing  in 
the  pulpit  on  the  following  day  ! 

An  event  of  great  importance  in  the  settlement — or 
rather,  as  it  turned  out,  the  unscttlement  of  this  heavenly 
minded  man,  in  after  life,  occurred  at  this  period.  Having 
in  the  month  of  March  preceding,  been  formally  proposed 
to  travel  as  a  preacher  in  the  Methodist  connexion  ;  and 
having  satisfactorily  answered  the  questions,  usually  put 


148  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

to  candidates  for  the  ministry ;  Mr.  Summerfield  proceeded, 
with  his  frienc^Mr.  Stewart,  from  Waterford  to  attend  the 
Irish  Conference,  held  in  Dublin,  at  which  city  they 
arrived  in  safety  on  the  30th  of  June.  His  case  was  now 
officially,  and  anxiously  considered ;  and  it  appeared,  after 
very  mature  deliberation,  that  the  delicacy  of  his  health, 
at  that  time,  and  the  consequent  improbability  of  his  being 
long  able  to  endure  the  difficulties  and  fatigues  of  itinerancy 
in  Ireland,  forbade  the  experiment  of  appointing  him 
forthwith  to  a  circuit.  And  the  Conference  was  thus 
induced  to  suspend  the  execution  of  their  eager  wish  of 
sending  him  to  travel,  for  another  year,  hoping  that  his 
health  might  in  the  interim  be  restored.  Meanwhile,  he 
was  appointed  to  fill  Mr.  Maynes'  place  in  Dublin,  till  that 
preacher  should  return,  with  the  other  Irish  delegates,  from 
the  British  Conference.  "Alas  !  alas  !" — says  he,  on 
receiving  this  appointment,  "  I  know  not  how  I  can  bear 
this  burden !  oh  !  Lord,  my  God,  be  thou  my  strength." 

During  the  Conference  season  in  Dublin,  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  Methodist  Missionary  Society  was  held 
there,  and  at  which  the  Rev.  J.  Edmondson  presided.  On 
this  occasion,  Mr.  Summerfield,  in  moving  a  vote  of  thanks 
to  the  English  committee,  made  a  speech,  winch  not  a 
little  confirmed  to  the  English  preachers  present,  the  reports 
which  they  had  heard  of  his  piety  and  his  talents.  On 
this,  as  on  a  previous  occasion,  I  might  remark  upon  the 
difficulty,  not  to  say  the  impropriety,  of  giving,  as  a  speci- 
men of  a  speech,  any  portion  of  memoranda  merely  made 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  149 

to  assist  the  speaker's  memory.  I  shall  however  give  a 
passage,  which  refers  to  a  name  consecrated  in  Missionary 
annals ;  it  is  merely  the  radical  idea,  and  was  beautifully 
unfolded  in  passing  through  the  speaker's  lips,  but  I  con- 
fine myself  to  the  words  of  his  incipient  draught : — "  The 
idea  of  christianizing  the  Asiatic  world  was  one  which 
seemed  too  great  for  human  conception. — Yes,  sir,  the 
very  idea  was  one  which  could  only  have  had  birth  in 
an  apostle's  mind !  But  yet  there  was  found  a  man 
among  the  tribes  of  our  spiritual  Israel,  possessed  of  a 
mind  which  conceived  the  grand  design : — to  the  earthen 
vessel  which  contained  the  deposit,  men  gave  the  name 
of  Coke  ! — heaven  will  reveal  his  true  name  in  '  that 
day !'  In.  his  devotedness  to  the  service  of  his  God,  and 
the  best  interests  of  mankind,  he  was  equalled  by  few — 
surpassed  by  none  !  At  the  feet  of  his  Master,  he  laid  his 
wealth, — his  ease, — his  honour, — his  character, — nay,  his 
life  itself  !  He  sacrificed  all ! — he  was  the  slave  of  slaves  ! 
unwearied  in  the  work  of  heaven,  no  dangers  could  in- 
timidate— no  allurements  seduce  him  from  his  one  pursuit 
— he  was  like  Paul — like  Wesley,  a  man  of  one  business  ! 
Ceylon  had  long  been  the  object  of  his  contemplation,  and 
the  fulfilment  of  his  wishes  and  his  prayers  seemed  now 
accomplished  ;  preparations  made,  and  standard  bearers 
obtained  who  were  willing  to  carry  the  banners  of  the 
cross,  he  quits  his  native  shore  !  You,  sir,  followed  him 
well  nigh  to  the  beach,  and  little  thought  to  see  his  face 
no  more  ! — But  he  is  not ! — for  God  took  him  ! — Not  far 
distant  from  the  promised  land,  his  Master  called  him 
n2 


150  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

to  a  higher  mount  than  Pisgah's  top,  to  view  the  goodly 
shore :  he  heard  Him  say,  '  Come  up  hither ;'  welcome 
summons  to  his  waiting  soul ! — The  body  of  this  Moses 
has  indeed  been  hidden  from  us ;  but  we  dispute  not 
concerning  it,  for  we  sorrow  not  as  those  without  hope : 
we  take  the  Bible  in  our  hands,  and  inscribe  beneath  his 
name,  '  pleasant  in  life,  and  in  death  not  divided  !'  The 
dispensation  seemed  severe  to  human  ken  ;  to  him  it  was 
merciful  !  His  death  seemed  without  pain;  his  frame  was 
not  worn  with  disease,  nor  his  features  distorted  with  agony ; 
and  his  body  sunk  in  the  flood,  as  it  will  arise  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  resurrection — with  a  blooming,  heavenly 
countenance !  He  shall  not  be  forgotten ;  for  in  the  day 
when  Christ  shall  gather  up  his  jewels,  Coke  shall  be  col- 
lected from  the  ocean's  bed,  a  diamond  of  the  purest 
water  ! — Pardon  me,  my  brethren,  I  dwell  on  his  name 
with  pleasure;  I  loved  the  man — I  love  his  memory  still; 
— you  knew  his  worth, — you  know  his  great  reward ;  and. 
though  no  marble  urn  can  boast  of  concealing  his  remains, 
his  name  is  engraven  upon  all  your  hearts  ;  and  while 
unadulterated  goodness,  ennobling  talent,  genuine  worth, 
and  sterling  piety,  shall  find  one  lover  among  men,  the 
name  of  Coke  shall  be  preserved  from  the  ravages  of  time, 
and  finally  displayed  with  all  its  glories  in  the  archives 
of  the  upper  and  the  better  world  !" 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  151 


SECTIOX  IX. 

Religious  experience — resolves  to  avoid  tea  parties — preaches  at 
the  request  of  the  Earl  of  Rosse — a  dangerous  illness — re- 
sumes his  labours,  and  addresses  large  congregations — ex- 
ercises of  spirit — loyalty — anxious  to  visit  England. 

Mr.  Summerfield,  like  most,  other  good  men  who  have 
large  experience  of  the  things  of  God — especially  when 
possessing  temperaments  as  fervent  as  his  own — was  sub- 
ject to  many,  and  often  very  painful,  fluctuations  of  re- 
ligious feeling.  These  variations  of  the  devotional  tempe- 
rature, so  to  speak,  are  probably  much  less  uncommon 
with  strong  or  susceptible  minds,  than  ordinary  persons  are 
willing  to  suppose  ;  but  few,  very  few  indeed,  have  the 
faculty  to  distinguish  with  that  accuracy,  or  would  have 
the  courage  to  record  their  discoveries  with  that  fidelity, 
which  characterizes  the  precious  autobiographical  sketches 
of  the  heart  of  this  interesting  individual.  Summerfield, 
while  all  his  labours  might  seem  to  be  wrought  amidst  the 
tempest  of  an  enthusiasm,  at  once  irresistible  to  himself 
and  his  hearers,  was,  at  the  same  time,  in  his  "  inner  man," 
an  exquisite  spiritual  barometer,  graduated  with  surprising 
delicacy  through  the  entire  scale  of  religious  experience. 


152  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

To  those  professors  of  religion,  (if  so  they  may  be  called,) 
who  are  content  to  live  at  the  zero  of  orthodoxy,  his 
language  must  sometimes  appear  strange  indeed  ;  but  to 
others,  who  have  known  something  of  those  "  deep  things 
of  God,"  which  pertain  more  or  less  to  every  true  member 
of  the  body  of  Christ,  these  alternate  elevations  and  de- 
pressions, through  all  their  degrees,  are  neither  unintelligi- 
ble nor  strange.  The  most  exalted  spirit,  while  com- 
passed about  with  the  infirmities  of  the  flesh,  must  never 
expect  to  enjoy  a  perpetually  unclouded  vision ;  much 
less,  an  invariable  beatitude  of  feeling.  A  few  passages 
from  the  Diary  shall  be  given. 

"  June  17.  My  soul  was  still  more  strongly  led  out  after 
God  this  morning  than  of  late— Oh  !  that  I  knew  where  I 
might  find  him.  I  view  myself  as  the  most  abandoned  of 
all  sinners  ;  I  am  tempted  to  wish  that  I  was  openly  pro- 
fane, as  being  in  a  more  likely  way  to  obtain  the  salvation 
of  God,  than  in  my  present  state.  I  know  not  what  to  do  ! 
Lord,  pity  me  in  my  low  estate  !  Oh,  make  thyself  known 
unto  me  !"  Here  he  was  beset  with  a  horrible  tempta 
tion,  and  appeared  surrounded  with  the  blackness  of  dark- 
ness itself ;  but,  lo !  the  very  next  day,  the  cloud  is  dis- 
persed:— "  I  think,"  says  he,  "I  seethe  dawn  of  eternal 
day  upon  my  soul ;  but  I  anxiously  cry,  oh  !  when  will 
he  fully  appear  ? — However,  by  his  grace,  T  am  determined 
to  persevere."  And  presently  perseverance  had  its  reward — 
in  the  following  passage  "  the  true  light  shineth  :" — "  June 
20.     Tliis  has  been  one  of  my  happiest  days  ;  I  have  been 


•\  • 

REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  153 

greatly  blessed !"  On  a  review  of  the  dealings  of  God 
with  his  soul,  he  thus  strikingly  expresses  himgelf  on  the 
16th  of  August : — "  Many  are  the  consolations,  which,  in 
the  last  three  weeks,  I  have  experienced  ;  but  my  expe- 
rience is  still  variable — one  day  on  the  mount,  another  in* 
the  garden ;  one  day,  hardly  knowing  whether  I  am  in 
the  body  or  out  of  it ;  and  perhaps  the  very  next,  ready  to 
give  up  the  beginning  of  my  confidence,  and  fall  from  the 
grace  of  God  ;  but  I  bless  the  Lord  that  his  grace  is  suffi- 
cient for  me,  and  in  his  strength  I  am  determined  to  follow 
•        on  to  know  the  Lord  !" 

During  Mr.  Summerfield's  temporary  appointment  in 
Dublin,  notwithstanding  that  he  preached  nine,  seven, 
and  Jive  times  a  week,  he  was  a  good  deal  engaged  with 
visiting,  as  must  generally  be  the  case  with  a  favourite 
preacher,  especially  in  a  large  city.  This  practice  was  not 
only  opposed  to  the  rules  which  he  had  laid  down  for  the 
government  of  his  time,  but  really  injurious  in  its  tendency. 
"  I  always  feel,"  says  he,  "  that  tea  parties  are  as  so  many 
fungi  to  my  soul."  On  the  commencement,  therefore,  of  a 
fresh  volume  of  his  diary,  he  resolved  "  to  turn  over  a  new 
leaf — and  accordingly  entered  on  its  first  page  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  : — 

"  1.  Never  to  go  out  to  breakfast — This  squanders  all 
the  forenoon  away,  which  is  the  most  valuable  part  of  my 
time. 


154  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

"  2 — With  regard  to  dining  abroad ;  as  I  purpose  rising 
at  4  in  the  morning,  and  remaining  in  my  studies,  &c. 
all  day  till  dinner  time,  it  may  not  injure  me  to  relax  my 
mind,  but  always  take  care  to  bring  Jesus  with  me,  and 
guard  against  religious  dissipation. 

u  3 — Never  to  breakfast,  dine,  &c.  abroad  on  Saturday. 

11  4 — Always  to  return  home  after  preaching,  and  never  to 
go  back  to  the  family  with  whom  I  dined,  &c. — This 
does  no  good  ;  keeps  the  family  up,  and  injures  my  own 
health. 

"  5 — Avoid  all  tea  parties,  as  they  are  called,  as  much 
as  possible  :  they  seldom  do  good." 

It  was  his  practice,  wherever  he  visited,  to  seek  the 
spiritual  edification  of  all  present,  and  he  always  considered 
the  time  as  worse  than  lost  when  this  had  not  been  the 
case.  He  several  times  visited,  at  her  special  request,  the 
Hon.  Mrs.  Butler,  in  Richmond  place :  but  even  here,  he 
resolved  to  leave  a  savour  of  his  sacred  character  behind 
him  ;  to  which  end,  he  not  only  recommended  family 
prayer,  but  set  them  an  example,  which  there  was  reason 
to  believe  was  not  in  vain. 

The  following  little  incident  is  affecting  :  he  was  at  the 
quarterly  meeting  of  the  Strangers'  Friend  Society ; — 
"  While  calling  over  the  names  as  they  lay  in  the  list,  I 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  155 

was  much  struck,  when  Mr.  Tobias  named  John  Smith 

a  silence  ensued,  and  brother  Tobias  added, — '  before 

the  throne  of  God ;'  he  died  in  the  last  quarter — Oh,  may 
I  work  while  it  is  called  day."  The  brief  significant 
phrase — <:  before  the  throne  of  God,"  comes  like  a  voice 
interpreting  the  silence  that  went  before. 

On  the  15th  of  September  his  engagement  in  Dublin 
was  terminated,  by  the  return  of  Mr.  Mayne  from  Lime- 
rick. He  next  visited  Roscrea,  Birr,  and  Parsontown  ;  on 
his  arrival  at  the  latter  place,  he  found  the  family  of  the 
Earl  of  Rosse  had  made  a  request  that  he  would  preach 
at  2  o'clock,  in  the  court-house.  With  fear  and  trembling 
he  complied ;  the  bell-man  was  sent  round  to  announce 
the  service  ;  and  at  the  appointed  time,  he  preached  to  a 
vast  assemblage  of  the  nobility,  gentry,  and  others — many 
of  whom  had  never  before  heard  a  Methodist  sermon. 
At  first  he  was  somewhat  overawed,  but  casting  his  care 
on  the  Lord,  he  felt  his  usual  liberty,  and  several  of  his 
friends  afterwards  declared,  that  they  never  heard  him 
preach  with  greater  pathos  and  energy.  Although  the 
congregation  was  so  large,  and  composed  of  all  ranks  and 
sects,  the  most  profound  attention  prevailed,  and  many 
appeared  much  affected.  He  preached  in  the  evening  at 
the  chapel,  which  was  so  crowded*  with  strangers,  that  the 
regular  hearers,  and  friends,  stood  on  the  outside — all  the 
windows  being  taken  out  that  they  might  hear. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  he  again  arrived  at  his  father's 


156  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

house  in  Cork  ;  after  having  been  thoroughly  drenched 
with  a  day  and  night's  rain  on  the  outside  of  the  coach, 
which  had  broken  down  twice  during  the  journey.  He 
was  justly  alarmed  at  the  anticipated  consequences  of  this 
unwonted  exposure  to  the  cold  and  wet,  delicate  as  he  then 
was  ;  he  therefore  willingly  availed  himself  of  the  invita- 
tion of  his  old  friend,  Mr.  Edwards,  to  spend  a  short  time 
at  his  delightful  residence  on  Hop  Island.  He  had,  how- 
ever, only  been  domiciled  in  this  retreat  a  few  days,  when 
the  disorder,  which  had  long  been  growing  upon  him,  in 
consequence  of  excessive  labour  and  fatigue,  (certain  glan- 
dular obstructions,)  came  to  its  crisis.  Symptoms  of  this 
complaint  had  for  some  time  appeared ;  "  but,"  says  he,  "  I 
knew  not  from  what  they  proceeded  ;  a  curling  in  my 
tongue,  which  was  a  spasmodic  affection,  often  troubled 
me ;  this  I  have  named  in  other  parts  of  my  diary,  calling 
it  '  a  thorn  in  my  flesh,'  which  indeed  it  was  ;  but  this,  I 
never  mentioned  to  any  one  :  all  that  I  remember  was, 
that  my  tongue  doubled  in  my  mouth  ;*  my  mouth  itself, 
and  face,  were  awfully  distorted  toward  my  left  ear,  my 

*  Several  entries  occur  of  a  similar  import  with  the  following: 
— "  an  unaccountable  anxiety  from  a  nerve  in  my  tongue  which 
sometimes  prevents  my  speaking."  This  singular  affection, 
while  it  sometimes  hindered  utterance,  was  often  in  a  singular 
manner  taken  away,  seeming  to  justify  the  scripture  phrase,  "the 
string  of  his  tongue  was  loosed  ;"  as  though  there  were  a  bind- 
ing nerve,  that,  by  restriction  or  relaxation,  prevented  or  allowed 
of  speech. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  157 

breath  stopped,  and  reason  forsook  her  throne;  I  was  just 
enabled  to  venture  my  soul  on  Jesus,  and  saw  death  staring 
me  in  the  face ;  I  expected  nothing  else  than  dissolution." 
On  coming  to  himself,  he  found  his  feet  in  a  crock  of  hot 
water ;  the  room  filled  with  friends,  and  amongst  them  his 
father,  who  had  been  sent  for  to  see  him  expire.  He 
had  however  brought  with  him  a  physician,  who  after 
taking  two  and  a  half  pounds  of  blood  from  the  arm  of 
his  patient,  ordered  his  head  to  be  shaved,  a  blister  to  be 
applied,  and  other  medicines  to  be  used ;  for  sometime 
convulsions  succeeded  one  another,  with  alarming  violence, 
and  it  was  not  until  the  following  morning,  that  the 
balance  which  had  seemed  to  weigh  life  and  death  against 
each  other,  perceptibly  preponderated  on  the  side  of  hope  : 
his  numbered  days  were  not  yet  come  to  an  end,  and  in  a 
short  time  convalescence  was  apparent.  It  would  be  injus- 
tice to  the  kind  family  which  nursed  him  in  their  house  at 
Hop  Island,  were  I  not  to  record  his  gratitude  in  his  own 
words  : — "  Sunday,  October  17th,  with  the  permission  of 
my  physician,  I  rose  from  my  bed ;  but  dreadfully  weak 
and  emaciated ;  my  father  and  family,  with  some  kind 
friends,  spent  the  day  with  me.  Throughout  the  whole, 
the  attention  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwards  were  beyond  all 
description,  nor  could  they  be  equalled  by  any  other, 
except  Mrs.  Cole ;  her  love  to  me  was  wonderful — may 
the  Lord  repay  them  a  thousand  fold  !" 

So  great  was  the  anxiety  created  by  the  report  of  his 
indisposition  among  his  Cork  friends,  that  public  prayer 
o 


158  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

meetings  (of  the  men  and  women  separately)  were  held 
on  his  account :  their  supplications  were  heard,  and  the 
lease  of  his  brief  life  was  again  renewed.  For  himself, 
he  says : — "  I  believe  this  affliction  will  have  the  most 
blessed  effect  upon  me ;  I  see  the  brevity  and  uncertainty 
of  human  life  ;  I  feel  more  set  upon  heaven  and  heavenly 
things ;  my  access  to  the  throne  of  grace  is  with  greater 
boldness,  and  my  soul  is  truly  melted  before  the  Lord. 
Oh,  that  he  would  now  stamp  on  my  softened  heart,  his 
own  most  heavenly  image." 

Many  were  the  letters,  which,  after  this  affliction,  he 
received  from  different  parts  of  Ireland,  praising  God  for 
having  again  raised  up  his  servant :  this  description  may 
serve  to  characterize  generally  the  contents  of  the  whole 
bundle.  A  passage  in  one  of  the  Rev.  W.  Stewart's 
letters  contains  the  following  seasonable  advice : — "  Preach 
seldom,  that  you  may  preach  often — preach  short,  that  you 
may  preach  long — and  let  comparatively  few  hear  you  now, 
that  many  may  hear  you  hereafter."  Amidst,  the  expres- 
sions of  grief  and  sympathy  which  his  illness  called  forth, 
it  is  painful  to  know  that  there  existed  in  some  bosoms, 
emotions  of  a  different  character.  The  "  Clonites,"  who 
regarded  Mr.  Summerfield  as  one  of  the  most  influential 
of  their  opponents,  not  only  several  times  announced  his 
death  ;  but  complacently  attributed  his  affliction  to  a 
judgement  from  God,  because  he  had  been  expected  at 
Waterford,  where  one  of  their  preachers  had  been  likewise 
announced.     It  was,  however,  a  little  thing  with  him  that 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  159 

he  should  be  thus  judged  of  man's  judgement  :  his  record 
is  now,  with  himself,  before  the  throne  of  God, — and 
even  in  the  pages  of  his  diary,  abundant  testimony  may 
be  drawn,  that  he  did  not  so  judge  concerning  his 
enemies. 

On  Sunday,  November  7th,  he  resumed  his  pulpit  ex- 
ercises. After  preaching  in  the  evening,  he  says  : — "  I  felt 
my  soul  borne  above  the  world  !  it  soared  very  high  !  and 
I  sat  with  Jesus  in  heavenly  places."  And  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  following  Sabbath,  he  remarks,  "  for  the  greater 
part  of  this  week,  I  can  say  of  a  truth,  that  my  peace  had 
flowed  as  a  river." 

Although  now  on  the  Conference  list  of  reserve,  and 
therefore  filling  his  several  appointments  as  a  preacher,  he 
still  considered  it  his  duty  to  assist  his  father,  in  writing  for 
the  concern  of  which  the  latter  had  the  management; 
nevertheless,  wishing  to  be  entirely  devoted  to  the  work  of 
God,  he  considered  book-keeping  "  as  all  lost  time"  to  him ; 
"  but,"  adds  he,  with  exemplary  propriety,  "  I  remember  at 
the  same  time,  that, '  honour  thy  father,'  is  a  command  of 
him  whom  I  wish  to  obey  :"  this  was,  however,  nearly  his 
last  implication  with  "counting  house  business." 

Throughout  the  whole  of  December,  and  even  during  the 
following  month,  the  state  of  his  mind  within,  appears  to 
have  resembled  in  some  measure  the  aspect  of  nature 
around  him ;  sometimes  gloomy  and  lowering, — the  clouda 


160  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

hung  about  his  soul,  and  intercepted  his  comforts,  com- 
pelling him  to  exclaim,  "  dark — dark — dark  ;"  at  other 
times,  his  mental  atmosphere  was  bright  and  clear,  and 
the  sun  of  righteousness  shone  out  with  full  lustre.  It 
might  appear,  indeed,  sometimes  a  little  difficult  with  un- 
scriptural  readers,  to  reconcile  the  heavenly  manifestations 
of  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  which  he  generally  en- 
joyed, with  some  of  his  dark  and  terrible  conflicts  and  fits 
of  despondency.  As  before  observed;  however,  there  was 
nothing  in  his  state,  (however  singular  to  himself,)  beyond 
what  thousands  have  experienced,  and  must  experience, 
who  look  much  and  closely  at  the  fluctuations  of  feeling,  in 
hearts  not  made  perfect  in  love.  A  macerated  body,  united 
with  a  spirit  of  extraordinary  intensity,  exposed  him  in  a 
peculiar  manner  to  those  besetments  which  are  not  uncom- 
mon with  men  of  a  similar  temperament.  He  was  often 
very  unnecessarily  distressed  by  dreams,  which,  however 
regarded  by  himself,  were  doubtlessly  the  phantasmagoria 
of  a  fevered  brain.  Another  evident  cause  of  his  painful 
depressions,  was  the  absence  of  spiritual  manifestations — 
not  of  the  nature,  but  in  the  measure,  which  his  soul  desired — 
for  at  this  period,  all  the  feelings  of  his  mind,  all  the  ac- 
tions of  his  life,  were  not  of  the  nature  of  the  "  old  man," 
which  he  had  long  put  off,  with  his  lusts — but  of  the  "  new 
man,"  which  he  had  put  on,  and  whose  works  were  right- 
eousness and  true  holiness. 

On  Sunday,  the  19th  of  December,  Mr.  Summerfield 
preached  on  behalf  of  the  Methodist  Missions,  at  Tralee  ; 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  161 

on  Tuesday,  he  spake  at  great  length  at  the  half  yearly 
meeting  of  the  Bible  Society ;  and  on  the  following  evening, 
at  the  missionary  anniversary.  His  addresses,  on  both 
these  occasions,  were  well  received  ;  and,  judging  from  the 
sketches  extant,  deservedly  so. 

It  may  with  propriety  be  mentioned  here,  that  about 
this  period  he  embraced  several  opportunities  of  enlarging 
his  stock  of  ideas,  by  attending  lectures  on  natural,  intel- 
lectual, and  moral  philosophy. 

-On  the  first   Sunday  morning  in  the  year  1820,  he 

preached  in  Cork  to  a  large  assembly  :  "  I  was  peculiarly 

affected,"  says  he,  "  under  the  first  prayer ;  the  Lord  gave 

to  my  eyes  refreshing  tears  !  and  I  could  only  sob  my 

petition  to  His  throne.     He  caused  all  Ins  goodness  to  pass 

before   me,  and   revealed  to  me  his  name !   I  felt  him 

passing  by !  He  put  his  hand  on  me,  and  then  revealed 

his  glory  ;  he  covered  me  ; — I  was  lost  in  the  ocean  of  his 

goodness."     -And  yet  the  very  next  day  he  laments  that 

he  "  felt  no  gracious  impression,"  at  the  Covenant  meeting. 

How  little  were  these  vacillations  of  rapture  and  agony  to 

be  taken  as  proofs  that  he  was  in  the  favour  of  God — or 

rather  that  he  was  otherwise  :  indeed,  in  such  a  case,  how 

can  a  person  be  sure  that  these  are  of  God,  and  those  of 

Satan — or  of  his  own  mind,  or  rather  of  his  own  body  ? 

How  wise,  and  yet  at  the  same  time  how  simple,  is  the  test 

of  the  divine  acceptance  laid  down  by  Mr.  Wesley,  in  the 

old  methodistic  syllogism : — "  He  that  now  loves   God, 
o  2 


162  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

that  delights  and  rejoices  in  him,  with  a  humble  joy,  a 
holy  delight,  and  an  obedient  love,  is  a  child  of  God  :  But 
I  thus  love,  delight,  and  rejoice  in  God ;  therefore,  I  am 
a  child  of  God." 

We  may  unhesitatingly  apply  to  Mr.  Summerfield's 
case,  the  above  rule  of  sound  judgement,  which  he  appears 
not  to  have  applied  to  himself — though  he  could  apply  it 
to  the  case  of  others.  For  instance,  after  saying  of  him- 
self, "  I  am  miserable,  miserable,  miserable  !"  he  goes  on 
to  state  how  he  continued  to  preach,  and  how  God  blessed 
the  word  to  the  experimental  salvation  of  the  souls  of  others, 
while  he  himself  either  had  not,  or  imagined  that  he  had 
not,  such  experience  ;  and  if  experience  of  this  kind  is  to  be 
the  o»ly  test  of  reality,  and  he  had  it  not,  does  it  not  follow 
that  he  was  under  the  curse  of  God  as  an  unpardoned  sinner, 
and  must  have  gone  from  preaching  to  perdition  had  he 
died  at  the  time  ?  Summerfield  was  undoubtedly  in  a  state 
of  justification  before  God,  and  moreover,  was  evidently  seek- 
ing to  be  sanctified  wholly,  for  there  is  no  middle  state  be- 
tween guilt  and  pardon,  in  which  a  man  may  thus  serve,  and 
fear,  and  love  God,  as  he  appears  really  to  have  done,  and 
have  visitations  even  of  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory, 
as  he  says  that  he  had,  and  as  we  must  believe  ;  and  yet 
all  this  time  be  under  condemnation,  and  every  moment 
in  danger  of  hell  fire ; — such  hypotheses  were  equally  absurd 
and  unscriptural. 

He  appears  on  the  whole  to  have  sought  his  religious 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  163 

exemplar  in  the  celebrated  Fletcher,  and  to  the  spiritual 
attainments  of  that  eminently  holy  man  his  soul  per- 
petually aspired.  "  Oh  what  a  saint ! — I  would — but 
scarcely  dare,  aspire  to  his  attainments ;  and  yet,  Jesus 
kindly  whispers  to  my  inward  ear  that  He  has  the  residue 
of  the  Spirit ! — Oh  shed  it  abroad !  come  Lord  from  above !" 
Such  is  Summerfield's  ejaculation  on  reading  the  life  of 
his  pious  predecessor :  and  in  allusion  to  whom  he  says, 
in  another  place,  "  I  never  met  with  any  experience  so 
much  a  counterpart  of  my  own :  I  mean  his  experience 
just  at  the  eve  of  his  stepping  into  gospel  liberty — I  took 
courage — I  kneeled  down — I  cried  to  God  ! — He  drew 
near — I  set  the  seal  of  my  faith  to  his  promises  of  pardon 
through  the  death  of  his  Son  ;  I  now  wait  the  seal  of  his 
spirit  to  be  applied  to  my  heart — Lord  !  I  must — I  must 
believe,  and  now  !" 

The  31st  of  Januar)^,  as  the  reader  is  already  aware, 
was  the  anniversary  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  birth-day ;  on 
a  single  page  under  that  date,  in  the  present  year,  there 
occur  in  the  diary  two  entries  of  so  conflicting  a  character, 
that  they  can  only  be  reconciled  by  the  extreme  probability 
that  a  slight  mistake  may  have  occurred  in  dividing  the 
matter  under  the  date ;  even  this  supposition,  leaves  diffe- 
rent entries  singularly  contemporaneous.  After  mentioning 
some  conversions  which,  the  day  before,  had  taken  place 
under  his  preaching,  he  adds — "  But  what  shall  I  say  of 
myself  ?  despair  begins  to  lay  hold  on  me,  and  for  some 
days  I  have  left  off  [private]  prayer. — My  hell  increases  ! — 


# 


164  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

and  yet,  sometimes,  I  have  a  beam  of  hope ;  in  the  in- 
stances I  have  mentioned  above,  it  seems  as  if  the  Lord 
mingled  encouragement  amid  my  despondencies ;  and  he 
seems  unwilling  to  give  me  up — Oh,  that  I  knew  where  I 
might  find  him  !"  This  evidently  refers  to  the  30th,  for 
in  the  next  paragraph  he  writes — "  This  is  my  birth-day  ! 
so  twenty-two  years  of  my  race  are  accomplished  ! — I  have 
felt  a  good  deal  of  the  divine  presence  with  me  to  day;  and  I 
have  solemnly  offered  myself  to  Him  again."  After  de- 
voting himself  anew  to  God,  he  adds — "  I  feel  enlivened  ; 
this  next  year  of  my  life  will  be  the  auspicious  year,  in 
which  I  shall  be  introduced  into  the  kingdom  of  grace,  or 
of  glory  ; — which  ever  it  may  prove,  c  thy  will  be  done.' 
Amen  !  J.  Summerfield."  Still,  in  the  review  of  his  state, 
he  writes  bitter  things  against  himself.  It  may  justly  be 
asked — If  he  was  not  already  in  the  kingdom  of  grace, 
where  was  he  1  It  would  be  blasphemy  to  say  that  he 
was  in  the  kingdom  of  darkness,  and  under  the  power  of 
Satan !  What  was  wanting  to  him  ?  evidently  nothing 
but  some  more  sensible  manifestation  that  he  was  in  the 
kingdom  of  grace.  To  multitudes,  undoubtedly,  such 
manifestation  is  given,  and  is  given  according  to  their 
faith  ;  but.  there  must  be  other  evidences,  or  a  person  may 
awfully  deceive  himself,  as  well  as  harass  his  spirit  to 
despair,  if  he  has  it  not  in  the  degree  which  he  himself 
expects  and  prescribes,  or  in  which  others  have  it.  It  is 
difficult  to  avoid  yielding  to  a  conviction,  on  the  whole, 
that  much  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  misery  arose  from  bodily 
disease,  some  probably  from  satanic  temptations,  and  more 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  165 

than  either,  and  overruling  both  the  former,  for  his  good 
eventually, — from  the  striving  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  with 
his  spirit,  to  bring  him,  by  a  necessarily  severe  discipline, 
to  an  entire  surrender  of  himself  to  the  Lord — for,  followed, 
and  admired,  and  flattered,  no  doubt  as  he  was, — young, 
inexperienced,  and  sanguine, — there  was  continual  peril  of 
his  being  a  castaway,  after  preaching  to  others,  because 
there  was  continual  temptation  to  preach  himself,  as  well 
as  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  and  to  glory  in  his  talents  as 
well  as  in  the  cross. 

So  deeply  and  steadily  flowed  the  rivers  of  peace  and 
blessedness  from  the  throne  of  God  into  his  soul,  at  the  be- 
ginning of  February,  that  he  writes,  "  If  all  my  days  were 
spent  in  as  close  a  communion  with  God  as  these  were, 
methinks  the  change  which  death  would  introduce  would 
scarcely  be  felt.  I  find  I  can  trust  my  Father  for  all  things  ; 
I  can  cast  my  soul  on  his  promise,  made^  through  the  blood 
of  Jesus,  even  though  the  seal  of  the*  Spirit  should  seem 
long  delayed ;  I  know  and  sensibly  feel,  that  I  am  not 
worthy  to  be  a  son  of  God ; — and  if  he  see  fit,  for  wise  pur- 
poses, to  retain  me  so  long  in  the  character  of  a  servant, 
His  will  be  done.  I  have  prayed  with  the  prodigal,  'make 
me  as  one  of  thy  hired  servants  ;' — this  he  has  exceeded ; 
he  has  made  me  a  domestic.  He  will  then  increase  in  me 
all  the  good  pleasure  of  his  will.  He  will  yet  set  me  on 
high,  even  among  the  princes  of  his  people."  Here  a 
blessed  "  trust  and  confidence"  in  the  faithfulness  of  God, 
takes  place  of  those  "hard  sayings,"  in  which  he  had  so 


166  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

frequently  of  late  indulged  against  himself.  Indeed,  it  is 
plain  that  he  was  more  in  his  right  mind, — more  calm, 
collected,  and  resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  and  less  impa- 
tient— though  not  less  earnestly  longing  for  full  redemp- 
tion : — and  for  his  satisfactory  assurance  of  which,  nothing 
seems  to  have  been  wanting  but  "  the  seal  of  the  Spirit." 
The  deed  of  his  adoption  was  no  doubt  ratified  in  heaven ; 
though  the  roll,  such  as  Bunyan's  Pilgrim,  Christian, 
received  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  which  others  have 
received  there,  was  not  yet  given  to  Summerfield. 

No  occasion  has  heretofore  occurred,  requiring  the 
expression  of  any  sentiment  in  connexion  with  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield's  feelings  as  a  British  subject ;  nor  would  the 
opportunity  of  making  any  allusion  at  all  to  this  matter, 
have  been  regarded  in  these  pages,  but  for  the  occurrence 
of  a  passage  in  the  diary  of  this  devoted  individual,  which 
it  would  be  the  most  manifest  injustice  to  his  memory  to 
omit.  The  writer  of  these  pages  would  indeed  as  certainly 
secure  as  he  would  assuredly  deserve,  the  scorn  of  every 
honest  American,  were  he,  as  an  Englishman,  to  cloak  or 
dissemble  the  fact  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  loyalty  to  his 
sovereign — to  that  sovereign  who  was,  undoubtedly,  in  his 
personal  character,  the  "most  religious  king"  that  ever 
sat  on  the  throne  of  Great  Britain.  George  III.  departed 
this  life  on  the  31st  of  January,  1820.  On  the  15th  of 
February,  the  pious  diarist  writes  :—  "  I  cannot  but  remark 
on  the  political  state  of  the  times  in  which  I  live ;  the 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  167 

prospect  for  several  earthly  kings  is  very  gloomy,  and 
yet  I  fear  it  will  not  drive  them  to  seek  after  a  kingdom 
in  the  heavens,  or  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away. 
And  so  the  British  throne  hath  changed  its  monarch! 
George  the  3d  is  counted  among  the  leaves  of  Autumn  ! 
My  heart  even  yet  says  '  God  bless  him  ;'  I  trust  to  meet 
him  in  my  Father's  house,  sheltered  from  every  piercing 
wind  of  keen  adversity.  His  son  was  proclaimed  king,  in 
London,  on  my  birth-day. 

"  The  Duke  of  Kent  has  also  put  off  the  coronet ;  he 
died  a  few  days  before  his  father,  and  was  buried  on  the 
Saturday  preceding  !  When  death  speaks  from  palaces, 
surely  subjects  should  take  the  warning.  And  is  England 
alone  thus  visited  ?  No  :  the  heir  of  the  French  throne 
has  been  assassinated  by  another  Ravaillac  !  Never  did  a 
darker  cloud  impend  over  any  nation,  than  this  and  France 
at  this  moment :  may  I  watch  the  Providence  of  God ! 
Some  Pella  will  be  provided  for  them  that  love  Him. — My 
father  urges  me  to  go  to  America ;  he  thinks  it  would 
greatly  improve  my  health ;  if  I  thought  it  was  the  will 
of  God,  I  would  not  hesitate  ;  but  I  have  no  light  on  this 
subject." 

The  destruction  which  Summerfield,  as  well  as  some 
other  good  men,  anticipated,  did  not  come  upon  our  Jerusa- 
lem; and  therefore  the  saints  were  not  "  scattered  abroad" 
by  persecution, — though  many  were  "  thrust  out,"  by  a 


168  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

better  spirit,  into  the  wilderness  of  this  world  ;  and  in  the 
sequel,  his  own  way  was  opened  to  that  mighty  field  of 
labour  which  God  had  prepared  for  his  servants  in  the 
new  world :  there  he  was,  in  due  time,  hailed  and  heard 
in  his  "  father  language,"  as  a  messenger  of  good  tidings 
to  those  western  churches,  who  acknowledge  with  their 
brethren  all  over  the  world,  one  spirit — one  faith — one 
baptism. 

From  the  month  of  February  until  toward  the  middle 
of  May,  his  labours  were  divided  between  Cork,  Mallow, 
Cappaquin,  Youghall,  Limerick,  and  Fermoy.  To  his 
exertions,  must  be  mainly  attributed  the  acquisition  of  the 
site  of  the  Chapel  at  the  latter  place  ;  as  the  interviews 
and  arrangements  with  Mr.  Walker,  the  landlord,  devolved 
entirely  upon  Mr.  Summerfield,  who  had  the  satisfaction 
not  merely  to  win  the  esteem  of  the  gentleman  with  whom, 
on  the  part  of  the  Methodists,  he  negotiated,  but  likewise 
to  see  the  leases  perfected,  signed,  sealed,  and  delivered, 
for  a  charming  plot  of  ground,  fifty  feet  by  forty,  at  a  pep- 
percorn fine  and  rent — for  ever. 

In  consequence  of  the  intensely  painful  exercises  of  his 
mind,  he  now  anxiously  longed  to  visit  the  land  of  his 
nativity,  "  not  to  preach,  but  to  be  instructed  in  the  way  of 
salvation."  "  I  am  (says  he)  like  Apollos;  1  want  to  know 
the  way  of  the  Lord  more  perfectly." — "  I  long,"  says  he, 
in  another  place,  "  to  be  in  England,  where,  unknown,  I 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD  1G9 

may,  without  reserve,  communicate  my  almost  indescriba- 
ble state  to  some  one  to  whom  my  gracious  Lord  may 
direct !  Oh,  may  he  open  my  way  if  it  please  Him  I"  This 
prayer  was  heard  and  answered.  • 


170  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTION  X. 

Jlnives  in  England,  and  preaches  at  Bristol — Exeter — attends 
Conference  at  Liverpool — entertains  thoughts  of  going  to 
America — embarks  for  New-York. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  1820,  Mr.  Summerfield  bade  adieu 
to  Ireland,  and  expected  presently  to  set  his  foot  on  the 
English  shore ;  the  vessel,  however,  in  which  he  sailed, 
and  which  was  bound  for  Bristol,  being  detained  by  ad- 
verse winds  at  Markstown,  he  embraced  the  opportunity  of 
once  more  visiting  Cork,  and  hearing  Mr.  "Wood  preach. 
On  the  15th,  he  re-embarked  at  Cross-Haven,  to  which 
place  he  was  accompanied  by  his  father,  who  "  loaded  him 
with  blessings  :" — "Such  a  father — he  is  only  surpassed 
by  another,  and  that  is  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ !" 

This  detention  in  the  Channel,  afforded  him  leisure  to 
reflect  upon  the  time  he  had  passed  in  Ireland,  and  the 
objects  of  his  visit  to  England.  In  the  preceding  eighteen 
months,  he  had  not  only  preached  four  hundred  sermons,  but 
had  been  blessed  with  good  ministerial  success  ;  and  he 
and  iiis  congregations  had  often  experienced  times  of  re- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  171 

freshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  In  reference  to 
the  unhappy  division  to  which  I  have  before  alluded,  he 
observes  : — "  The  Methodist  Society  in  Ireland  was  rent 
in  twain  from  the  top  to  the  bottom  ;  and,  forced  out,  as  I 
was  in  these  times,  it  was  my  object  to  assist  in  sewing  up 
the  rents  which  had  been  made.  To  the  glory  of  God  I 
would  record  it,  that  I  believe  my  labour  was  not  altogether 
in  vain  in  the  Lord."  With  sincere  pleasure,  may  be 
added  to  this  record,  the  following  testimony  of  a  reverend 
gentleman,  who  had  many  opportunities  of  judging  on  the 
subject : — u  He  preached  practical  Christianity,  in  most 
lively  colours ;  and  his  '  sweet  persuasive  tongue'  so  re- 
commended i  brotherly  kindness  and  charity,'  entreating 
his  brethren,  even  weeping,  to  '  fall  not  out  by  the  way,' 
that  all  appeared  to  be  carried  away  by  his  eloquence  to 
spiritual  union,  and  heavenly  peace  ;  and  he  was  made  a 
general  blessing,  at  that  time  of  strife  and  division  in  the 
church." 

Mr.  Summeriield's  popularity  was  too  great,  not  to 
create  envy  in  little  minds.  Upon  the  latter  clause  of  the 
subjoined  review  we  must  drop  a  tear,  but  (here  exists  no 
valid  reason  for  suppressing  it : — "  In  the  various  circuits 
I  have  travelled,  I  have  met  with  many  trials  ;  many  of 
the  preachers  received  me  gladly ;  I  believe  I  was  beloved 
by  those  whose  love  I  most  highly  prize  ;  and  in  this  page, 
and  in  this  number,  I  would  record  names  ever  dear  to 
me — Tobias,  Wood,  Steele,  W.  Stewart,  A.  Hamilton, 
sen'r,  T.  W.  Doolittle,  H.  Dury,  S.  Harpur,  E.  Cobain,  F. 


172  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Russell,  P.  Rogers,  J.  Matthews,  &c.  Others  I  found 
among  my  brother  preachers,  who  received  me  with — not 
coolness  or  reserve,  (this  I  care  nothing  about,)  but  marked 
dislike.  They  would  rather,  I  do  really  believe,  that  I 
were  cut  off,  than  preserved  among  them. — I  know  them — 
God  knows  them  ; — I  love  them  truly,  and  would  be  glad 
to  be  their  lowliest  servant  in  any  capacity." 

On  the  16th,  the  wind  was  favourable ;  the  vessel  stood 
out  fairly  for  her  destination,  and  as  the  green  bills  of  the 
land  of  his  spiritual  nativity  receded  from  his  sight,  the 
anxious  voyager  ejaculated  in  broken  accents  of  affection — 
"Farewell!  my  sweetest  friends  !  Farewell !  Ireland,  thou 
concealest  all  that  I  love  dear  on  earth ! — yet  I  give  you  all 
up  ; — the  cross  ! — but  then  the  crown  ! — I  leave  a  land  of 
friends — I  fly  to  a  land  of  strangers  ! — Cease,  fond  nature — 
cease  thy  strife  ! — It  is  for  Jesus  !  Farewell !  Adieu  !"  On 
the  19th,  he  landed  at  Bristol. 

It  may  here  be  repeated,  that  the  object  of  his  voyage 
to  England  was  threefold. — 1.  To  attend  to  some  business 
for  his  father  ;  2.  The  prospect  of  benefitting  his  constitu- 
tion ;  and,  3.  A  resolution  to  converse  unreservedly  with 
some  one  on  his  spiritual  state ;  and,  therefore,  to  remain 
for  sometime  unknown  to  the  brethren.  Providence  had 
otherwise  ordered  concerning  him. 

Immediately  on  his  arrival  at  Bristol,  as  he  was  passing 
along  one  of  the  streets  of  the  city,  in  the  loose  blue  coat 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  173 

which  he  had  worn  aboard,  and  his  head  so  reeling  from 
the  motion  of  the  vessel,  that  he  had  occasionally  to  cling 
to  the  palisades,  to  prevent  himself  from  falling  on  the 
pavement ;  he  saw  a  number  of  children  playing  at  mar- 
bles ;  of  these  he  inquired  the  way  to  the  Methodist 
Chapel.  Thither  he  repaired,  and  found  that  "  a  stranger" 
was  expected  to  preach  that  evening.  Having  taken  his 
seat  in  a  pew,  he  sat,  "  unknowing  and  unknown,"  with 
the  rest  of  the  congregation.  When  they  had  waited 
nearly  half  an  hour  beyond  the  time  appointed,  and  no 
preacher  making  his  appearance,  nor  any  person  attempt- 
ing even  to  give  out  a  hymn,  the  people  meantime  begin- 
ning to  go  away,  it  was  strongly  impressed  upon  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield's  mind,  that  he  must  himself  be  "the  stranger," 
thus  providentially  appointed.  After  reasoning  a  short 
time  with  flesh  and  blood,  he  at  length  broke  the  snare, 
and  inwardly  replied  to  what  he  considered  a  call  from 
God — "Lord,  here  am  I — not  my  will,  but  thine,  be  done  !" 
He  then  ascended  the  pulpit,  and  under  a  sweet  sense  of 
the  divine  presence,  gave  out  the  hymn,  beginning,  "  God 
moves  in  a  mysterious  way."  He  felt  a  little  trepidation 
at  first,  but  in  a  few  minutes  this  text  came  to  his  mind — 
"  Fear  not,  for  I  am  with  thee ;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am 
thy  God !  I  will  strengthen  thee ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee ; 
yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my 
righteousness."  He  preached  with  his  usual  freedom  and 
unction  ;  and  thus  singularly  commenced  his  ministry  in 
England. 


174  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

A  few  words  will  explain  the  circumstance  which  thus 
opened  Mr.  Summerfield's  way  to  a  British  pulpit,  so  con- 
trary to  his  expectation  and  even  to  his  wishes : — the 
District  Meeting,  which  had  that  week  been  held  in  Bris- 
tol, had  terminated  only  the  day  before,  and  this,  in  con- 
nexion with  the  anniversary  of  the  local  Methodist  Mis- 
sionary Society,  had  brought  a  considerable  number  of 
preachers  to  the  spot ;  publication  had  therefore  been  made 
for  "  a  stranger"  on  the  evening  in  question  ;  but  no  name 
was  mentioned,  as  it  was  hardly  to  be  doubted,  but  that 
when  from.forty  to  fifty  preachers  were  present  in  the  city, 
some  stranger  might  reasonably  be  expected.  No  other 
stranger,  however,  nor  any  other  preacher,  could  be  found, 
— though  many  of  the  friends  actually  went  from  the 
chapel  to  seek  one. 

Having,  in  consequence  of  the  above  incident,  and  con- 
trary to  his  intentions  for  the  present,  been  induced  to  show 
the  letters  of  introduction  with  which  he  had  been  furnished 
by  Mr.  Wood,  at  Cork,  he  was  received  with  much  affection 
by  many  of  the  English  brethren  then  in  Bristol.  While 
in  that  city,  he  was  kindly  entertained  by  John  Hall,  and 
Edward  Jones,  Esqrs.  Mr.  Hall  carried  him  in  a  chaise 
to  Bath,  where  he  met  with,  and  was  affectionately  recei- 
ved by,  that  truly  apostolic  man,  (now  in  glory  !)  the 
Rev.  Walter  Griffiths. 

On  the  22d,  he  set  off  to  Exeter  on  the  business  with 
which  his  father  had  charged  him  in  England  :  this  nego- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELO.  175 

tiation.  however,  terminated  inauspiciously.  So,  says  he, 
"  my  dear  father  is  again  disappointed ;  he  thought  that 
the  providence  of  God  was  removing  him  to  England, — 
but  all  is  closed  !  I  wrote  to  him  the  day  following,  to  com- 
municate the  unpleasant  result  ;  and  endeavoured  to 
encourage  him  to  trust  in  the  Lord.  Indeed,  my  dear 
father  has  no  continuing  city  here.  God,  in  his  mercy, 
removes  him  from  place  to  place,  and  shows  him  that  this 
is  not  his  home ;  but  he  has  given  him  a  title  through 
grace  to  a  kingdom  !  a  kingdom  which  cannot  be  moved." 

His  visit  to  Exeter  at  this  juncture,  was,  however,  intei 
esting  to  himself  as  a  Methodist  preacher :  the  District 
Meeting  was  assembled,  and  the  anniversary  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  District  was  held  ;  and  as  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield  was  just  come  from  Ireland,  he  was  not  only 
allowed,  but  required,  to  take  a  prominent  part.  Some  of 
the  preachers  were  very  shy  on  this  occasion  ;  and  one  of 
them  had  even  the  indiscretion  to  say  to  his  colleagues,  "  be 
cautious  how  you  mix  with  the  Irish  brethren  !;'  This 
conduct  deterring  the  resident  preachers,  he  was  not 
invited  to  occupy  their  pulpits  ;  until  at  the  kind  solicitation 
of  Mr.  Kilpin,  the  Baptist  minister,  he  had  preached  for 
him  in  his*  Meeting  house.  He  was  then,  on  the  following 
Sunday,  asked  to  preach  in  Exeter, — not  however  by  the 
superintendent,  but  by  Mr.  Overton,  the  junior  preacher. 
He  had  promised  to  be  in  Bristol  that  day,  but  lest  his 
motives  in  leaving  a  place  where  he  had  not  been  well 
treated,  might  be  misconstrued,  he  apologized  to  his  Bristol 


176  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

friends,  and  preached  on  the  Sabbath  at  Exeter  with  great 
power  and  acceptance. 

Sunday,  June  3d,  he  preached  again  at  Bristol — Mr. 
Roberts  reading  the  church  service  before  sermon  ;  this 
was  quite  new  to  him,  as  was  also  the  appearance  of  the 
chapel,  being,  as  it  is,  adorned  with  marble  monuments 
affixed  to  various  parts  of  the  interior.  On  the  following 
Sunday,  he  preached  twice  in  St.  Philip's  chapel,  and 
between  these  services  assisted  Mr.  Waddy  to  administer 
the  sacrament.  This  also  was  new  to  him — it  was  more- 
over the  first  time  that  he  had  communicated  in  a  Metho- 
dist chapel :  so,  after  preaching  in  King-street  chapel,  Bath, 
he  observes: — "As  I  am  always  meeting  with  something 
new  in  England,  I  may  observe,  that  this  was  the  first  chapel 
in  which  I  had  met  with  an  organ  ;  the  hymns  were  played 
on  it  in  a  delightful  manner,  and  produced  good  effect." 
While  in  Bristol,  he  had  a  pleasant  interview  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Exley,  the  ingenious  mathematician  ;  he  likewise 
saw  several  Moravian  friends,  and  amongst  them  two  of  his 
Fairfield  preceptors, — Rev.  Messrs.  Ramftler  and  Mallalieu. 

Having,  soon  after  his  arrival  in  England,  written  to  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Thomson,  his  old  friend,  companion,  and 
fellow-labourer,  then  stationed  at  Framlingham,  in  Suffolk, 
he  received  a  letter  in  return,  from  which  it  may  be  inter- 
esting to  make  the  following  extract : — "  Your  dear  father, 
(whom,  as  long  as  recollection  endures,  and  a  spark  of 
gratitude  exists  in  my  heart,  I  shall  love  and  respect,)  has 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  177 

now  got,  what  from  your  childhood  he  most  anxiously 
desired,  and  what  /  know  he  has  prayed  for,  hundreds  of 
times.  Yes,  my  dear  John,  your  dear  father  knows  what 
it  is  to  wrestle  with  God,  and  he  knows  what  it  is  to  prevail. 
I  have  for  the  last  eleven  years,  in  which  I  have  been  an 
itinerant  preacher,  seen  numbers  of  men  who  possessed 
deep  piety, — but  one  who  had  greater  influence  with  hea- 
ven— more  power  with  God,  than  your  father,  I  have  not 
seen." 

It  does  not  appear  that  Mr.  Summerfield  kept  any  jour- 
nal of  his  feelings,  or  his  proceedings,  from  the  period  of 
his  leaving  England  for  Ireland* — nor,  in  fact,  until  his 
arrival  in  America :  indeed,  the  very  latest  entry  in  the 
foregoing  country,  occurs  under  June  28  ;  when  reviewing 
God's  dealings  with  him,  he  remarks,  "  and  here,  I  have 
been  abundantly  blessed ;    my  heart   nas  been  sweetly 

*  Mr.  Summerfield  returned  from  England  to  Cork,  in  August, 
1820,  little  improved  in  health.  His  time  was  variously  employed 
as  before,  viz.  in  writing  for  the  establishment  of  which  his  father 
was  manager,  and  occupying  the  pulpits  in  the  different  chapels 
in  Cork  and  its  vicinity ;  until  the  19th  of  October,  when  he 
was  again  most  alarmingly  attacked  with  the  same  disorder 
which  brought  him  to  the  verge  of  the  grave  at  Hop  Island — 
the  very  same  day  of  the  previous  year.  In  a  few  weeks,  he 
was  so  far  convalescent  that  his  physicians  advised  a  sea  voyage ; 
which  was  promptly  acceded  to  by  his  father,  who  had  long 
contemplated  the  removal  of  the  family  to  America. 

J,  BlacJcstock. 


178  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

drawn  out  after  the  fulness  of  the  blessings  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ ;  and  I  believe  I  can  say,  I  feel  more  truly  alive 
ro  God,  and  have  nearer  access  to  him,  than  for  some 
time  past."  He  adds — "  of  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Hall's 
family  (of  Bristol)  I  cannot  speak  in  any  just  terms — God 
bless  them  !" 

While  at  the  Conference  held  in  Liverpool,  he  became 
acquainted  with  the  Rev.  John  Emory,  the  representative 
of  the  American  Conference.  The  interviews  which  Mr. 
Summerfield  enjoyed  with  so  respectable  and  influential  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  in  America,  though  they 
did  not  originate,  may  reasonably  enough  be  supposed  to 
have  thrown  an  halo  of  new  interest  around  that  project 
of  emigration,  which  Providence  seems  at  this  period  to 
have  forced  upon  the  attention  and  choice  of  his  father 
and  the  family.  How  long — and  on  what  accounts  chiefly, 
thoughts  of  America  had  occupied  the  minds  of  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield and  his  father,  may  be  gathered  from  the  follow- 
ing extracts  of  letters,  written,  as  their  dates  will  show,  in 
1819,  and  addressed  by  him  to  his  eldest  sister  and  her 
husband — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blackstock,  of  New- York,  in 
which  city,  as  already  stated,  they  had  for  some  time 
resided : — 

"  Temporal  affairs  have  not  answered  our  expectations  : 
I  believe  it  was  not  the  will  of  heaven,  that  I  should  be 
buried  in  a  secular  calling ;  I  was  given  to  the  Lord  from 
my  mother's  womb,  and  because  I  refused  the  surrendering 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  J  79 

of  myself  to  the  ministry  exclusively,  I  have  been  scourged 
beyond  measure  ;  but  I  at  last  came  in,  and  I  never  mean 
to  quit  the  temple  service  of  the  God  whose  name  is  Holy." 
*  *  *  *  "  We  have  long  talked  of  removing  to  America ; 
if  my  father  should  not  make  up  his  mind  to  settle  in 
Cork,  in  July  next,  he  will  certainly  conclude  to  go  without 
further  delay ;  and  with  regard  to  the  rest  of  us,  we  can 
have  no  objections,  notwithstanding  the  dangers  of  the 
passage,  when  we  have  such  attractions  already  on  that 
side  the  water."  April  19th,  1819.  He  thought  right, 
however,  to  modify  the  phrase, — "  we  can  have  no  objec- 
tions," by  adding — "  Perhaps  I  spoke  hastily  ;  with  regard 
to  myself,  perhaps  my  best  friends  would  not  consent  that 
I  should  remain  in  America  ;  but  at  all  events,  they  could 
not  deny  me  the  indulgence  of  the  heartfelt  pleasure  of 
seeing  you." 

At  the  conclusion  of  a  long  letter  to  his  sister,  descriptive 
of  his  religious  experience,  he  says — "  I  often  tell  my 
friends  in  this  country  of  my  desire  of  going  to  America ; 
they  will  not  listen  to  it  for  a  moment.  I  do  indeed  desire 
it,  if  it  were  the  Lord's  will,  but  not  otherwise — I  long  to 
see  you,  that  I  may  be  filled  with  your  company  ; — if  it 
is  his  will,  he  will  open  the  way."     April  19th,  1819. 

America  appeared  to  be  his  providential  destination. 
All  things  were  duly  arranged  for  the  voyage  ;  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield,  his  revered  father,  his  elder  brother  William,  and 
his  two  sisters  Amelia  and  Anne,  sailed  from  Cork,  on  the 


180  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

12th  of  December,  1820,  in  the  ship  General  Lingan, 
bound  to  New- York.  The  vessel  being  only  ballasted, 
after  a  not  unpleasant  sail  of  fifteen  days,  touched  at  St. 
Ubes,  a  Portuguese  harbour,  about  fifteen  miles  south  of 
Lisbon,  to  take  in  a  cargo  of  salt.  After  staying  at  this 
place  some  weeks,  and  receiving  every  civility  from  the 
resident  British  and  American  consuls,  they  again  set  sail. 
The  captain  of  the  vessel  was  a  most  gentlemanly  officer, 
and  did  every  thing  in  his  power  to  make  the  passengers 
comfortable :  added  to  this,  the  young  ladies  had  their 
piano  in  the  cabin,  so  that  the  time  passed  very  agreeably 
on  shipboard ;  the  more  so,  as  the  breezes  of  the  Atlantic 
appeared  to  have  a  favourable  effect  upon  Mr.  Summer- 
field's  health.  On  the  17th  of  March,  1821,  they  landed 
safely  at  New- York. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  181 


SECTION  XI. 

Methodism  in  America — Summerfield  arrives  at  New-York 
— eloquent  speech — stationed  at  New-York — speech — un- 
precedented popularity — addresses  children — letters — news- 
paper notices — immense  audiences  at  Washington — preaches 
in  front  of  the  Capitol — affection  of  his  friends — affecting 
sermon. 

Methodism,  which,as  most  persons  are  aware  had  its 
rise  with  the  preaching  of  the  celebrated  and  Rev.  John 
Wesley,  in  England,  about  the  year  1730,  flourishes  in 
America  to  a  greater  extent  even  than  in  Europe.  Its 
introduction  to  the  United  States,  is  traceable  to  Philip  Em- 
bury, a  local  preacher  from  Ireland,  who  in  the  year  1766, 
began  to  preach  in  the  city  of  New- York  ;  where,  in  a 
very  few  months,  he  united  with  himself  in  church 
fellowship  a  number  of  his  own  countrymen,  as  well  as 
citizens, — and  thus  laid  the  foundation  of  the  society. 

In  the  same  year,  Thomas  Webb,  a  gentleman  holding 

a  captain's  commission  in  the  British  service,  and  who  had 

a  military  station  in  the  city  of  Albany,  visited  New- York, 

and  several  other  places,   attracting  large  crowds,  who 

Q 


182  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

wondered  much  to  see  the  pulpit  occupied  by  a  man  in 
the  uniform  of  a  soldier.  Almost  simultaneous  with  these 
operations,  was  the  arrival  of  Robert  Strawbridge,  another 
Irish  local  preacher,  who  settled  at  a  place  called  Pipe 
Creek,  in  Maryland,  where  he  began  to  preach,  formed  a 
society,  and  built  a  leg  chapel.  In  the  course  of  three 
years,  the  people  had  so  increased,  and  the  prospects  of 
the  society  were  so  encouraging,  that  in  answer  to  the 
prayer  of  the  Society  in  New- York,  Mr.  Wesley  sent 
Messrs.  Boardman  and  Pilmoor,  who  were  the  first  regular 
preachers  appointed  by  Mr.  Wesley  to  this  country. 
Meanwhile,  the  first  Methodist  chapel  was  built  in  New- 
York,  and  things  went  on  so  prosperously,  that  at  the  latter 
end  of  the  year  1771,  Rev.  Francis  Asbury,  and  Rev. 
Richard  Wright,  joined  the  brethren  above  named. 

There  was  at  this  period  a  general  deficiency  of  vital  re- 
ligion in  the  Church  of  England  in  America,  as  well  as 
in  the  mother  country,  the  people  being  in  many  places 
even  destitute  of  the  Christian  sacraments,  as  several  of  the 
clergy  had  forsaken  their  churches.  In  this  lamentable 
state  of  affairs,  the  preachers  and  members  of  the  Methodist 
Society  in  America,  requested  Mr.  Wesley  to  take,  in  their 
behalf,  such  measures,  in  his  wisdom  and  prudence,  as 
would  afford  them  suitable  relief  in  their  distress. 

In  consequence  of  this  representation,  that  venerable 
man,  who,  under  God,  had  been  the  father  of  the  great 
revival  of  religion  now  extending  over  the  earth,  by  the 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  183 

means  of  the  Methodists,  determined  to  ordain  ministers 
for  America.  Accordingly,  on  the  establishment  of  peace 
in  1784,  Mr.  Wesley  sent  over  three  regularly  ordained 
clergymen — Dr.  Thomas  Coke,  Richard  Whatcoat,  and 
Thomas  Yasey,  vesting  them  with  ecclesiastical  powers  to 
constitute  the  American  Methodists  an  independent  Episco- 
pal Church.  Having  fixed  upon  this  mode  of  Church 
government,  he  solemnly  set  apart,  by  the  imposition  of 
his  hands,  and  prayer,  "  one  of  them,  viz.  Thomas  Coke, 
Doctor  of  Civil  Law,  late  of  Jesus  College,  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Oxford,  and  a  Presbyter  of  the  Church  of  England, 
for  the  Episcopal  Office  ;  and  having  delivered  to  him  let- 
ters of  Episcopal  orders,  commissioned  and  directed  him 
to  set  apart  Francis  Asbury,  then  general  assistant  of  the 
Methodist  Society  in  America,  for  the  same  Episcopal 
office ;  he,  the  said  Francis  Asbury,  being  first  ordained 
deacon  and  elder.  In  consequence  of  which,  the  said 
Francis  Asbury  was  solemnly  set  apart  for  the  said  Epis- 
copal office,  by  prayer,  and  the  imposition  of  the  honds  of 
the  said  Thomas  Coke,  other  regularly  ordained  ministers 
assisting  in  the  sacred  ceremony.  At  which  time,  the 
general  Conference  held  at  Baltimore  did  unanimously  re- 
ceive the  said  Thomas  Coke,  and  Francis  Asbury,  as  their 
Bishops,  being  fully  satisfied  of  the  validity  of  their  Epis- 
copal ordination." 

Thus  originated  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
America,  into  the  bosom  of  which,  not  merely  as  a  servant, 
hut  "  as  a  brother  beloved  in  the  Lord,"  Mr.  Summerfield 


184  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

was  now  to  be  received,  and  under  whose  authority  and 
direction,  we  are  henceforward  to  behold  him  spending  and 
being  spent. 

Presently  after  his  arrival  at  New- York,  in  March,  1821, 
he  commenced  his  ministerial  labours,  though  he  was  in  a 
very  indifferent  state  of  health. 

The  Fifth  Anniversary  of  the  American  Bible  Society 
was  held  at  the  City  Hotel,  in  the  city  of  New- York,  on 
the  10th  of  May.  The  chair  was  filled  by  the  President, 
the  honourable  and  venerable  Elias  Boudinot,  LL.  D. 
then  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age.  At  this 
meeting,  Mr.  Summeifield  made  a  speech  which  produced 
a  wonderful  effect,  and  added  much  to  that  popular  estima- 
tion in  which  he  had  been  rising  ever  since  he  preached 
his  first  sermon.  The  following  passage  may  be  quoted 
from  the  report  of  the  Society  : — "  In  seconding  the  motion 
of  thanks  to  the  venerable  President,  I  am  assured  of  the 
consentaneous  feeling  of  every  heart  around  me.  When  I 
beheld  him  enter  the  room,  I  felt  a  thrill  strike  through  my 
soul,  but  which  I  cannot  describe  ;  I  believe  it  was  the 
generous  throb  of  every  individual  here  present,  at  the 
sight  of  Boudinot  ; — it  was  sympathetic,  and  every  heart 
vibrated  in  perfect  unison  with  my  own.  My  imagination 
involuntarily  recognized  in  him  a  resemblance  to  pious 
Jacob ;  and  '  finding  the  time  draw  near  when  he  must 
die,'  I  fancied  that  lie  had  said  in  his  heart,  '  Gather  your- 
selves together  that  I  may  bless  you  before  I  die !'  And 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD. 

when  one  told  Jacob,  and  said,  '  Behold  thy  sons  come 
unto  thee,  Israel  strengthened  himself,  and  sat  upon  the 
bed,'  and  said,  '  Hear  ye  sons  of  Jacob,  and  hearken  unto 
Israel  your  father.'  Instead  of  urging  upon  you  any  thing 
as  a  motive  to  your  unanimously  seconding  the  motion,  I 
leave  it  to  yourselves,  and  the  best  feelings  of  your  hearts ; 
nor  am  I  at  all  apprehensive  for  the  result.  At  the  same 
time,  you  will  present  your  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for 
having  raised  up  such  a  father  to  your  society,  for  having 
put  it  into  his  heart  to  '  come  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
against  the  mighty,'  and  as  the  best  way  of  expressing 
your  gratitude  to  this  servant  of  the  Lord,  remember  him 
sincerely  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  pray  that  whenever  it 
shall  please  the  Head  of  the  Church,  and  God  of  the  Bible, 
to  remove  him  hence,  his  last  hours  may  be  peace  !  pray 
that  God  would  speak  to  his  heart  the  word  which  once 
cheered  the  fainting  mind  of  Israel  of  old — '  Fear  not  to  go 
down  into  Egypt ;  I  will  go  down  with  thee  into  Egypt, 
and  I  will  also  surely  bring  thee  up  again ;'  and  that 
borne  up  under  this  assurance,  he  may  be '  able  to  say  to 
his  surviving  friends,  with  a  heavenly  smile, '  whither  I  go 
ye  know,  and  the  way  ye  know.' " 

He  attended  the  Conference  held  at  Troy,  in  the  State 
of  New- York,  in  the  month  of  June,  and  was  admitted 
into  the  connexion,  upon  what  he  justly  regarded  as  libe- 
ral terms  ;  for  having  left  Ireland  somewhat  suddenly,  he 
had  not  with  him  a  single  letter  of  recommendation  from 
that  country.  This  difficulty — as  it  might  have  proved — 
Q  2 


186  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

was  obviated  by  a  letter  which  he  received  from  the  Rev. 
John  (now  Dr.)  Emory,  who  thus  in  the  most  friendly  and 
affectionate  manner,  interfered  in  Mr.  Summerfield's  behalf, 
from  a  knowledge  of  his  standing  in  Britain.  Being  thus 
received,  he  was  stationed  in  the  city  of  New- York ;  the 
term  of  probation  required  being  calculated  from  the 
period  of  his  joining  the  connexion  in  Ireland,  which  left 
one  year  only  for  trial,  previous  to  his  admission  to  the 
office  of  a  deacon. 

After  his  return  from  the  Troy  Conference,  he  thus 
writes  in  his  diary  : — "  Having  been  appointed  for  New- 
York  city,  I  have  sought  to  ratify  the  same  at  the  Throne  of 
Grace  ;  I  feel  as  if  God  would  be  with  me  this  year ;  He 
has  given  me  good  earnest  of  it,  and  I  enter  upon  my 
arduous  duties,  relying  upon  his  strong  arm  alone."  After  a 
few  days,  he  adds — "  I  find  that  my  ensuing  year's  labours 
will  be  double  my  expectations" — "  I  feel  as  if  this  year 
would  terminate  my  mortal  existence  !  my  body  is  perfect 
weakness  !  my  soul  sympathizes  too  often  with  my  body, 
and  wants  that  lively  vigour  and  energy  I  so  much  need — 
but  I  feel  that  Jesus  will  do  all  things  well." 

On  Sunday,  June  10,  he  preached  the  anniversary  ser- 
mon of  the  Marine  Church  in  New- York,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing Wednesday,  delivered  an  address  in  Dr.  Romeyn's 
Church,  on  the  first  report  of  the  institution.  Few  readers, 
probably,  at  this  time,  either  in  Europe  or  America,  re- 
quire to  be  told  that  public  attention  to  the  spiritual  desti- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  187 

tution  of  sailors,  was  first  attracted  by  a  singularly  gifted 
individual,  residing  as  a  Baptist  minister  at  Cornwall,  in 
England.*  A  brief  outline  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  speech 
at  the  first  anniversary  of  the  Bethel  Union,  is  preserved,  a 
few  passages  from  which  will  not  be  unacceptable  to  the 
reader  in  this  place.  Having  noticed  the  indifference  which 
the  Christian  world  had  so  long  manifested  towards  sailors, 
"  He  recollected  that  this  neglect  had  been  from  time  im- 

*  Amongst  the  memorials  of  men  raised  up  in  this  age  of  re- 
ligious institutions,  and  which  have  occupied  the  public  attention 
of  our  contemporaries,  posterity  will  not  willingly  allow  either 
detraction  or  demerit  to  erase  from  the  scroll  of  Christian  wor- 
thies, the  name  of  the  Rev.  G.  C.  Smith,  of  Penzance.  I  am  not, 
of  course,  unaware,  that  to  speak  thus  of  the  gentleman  in  ques- 
tion, will  be  regarded  by  some  persons  in  England  as  a  species 
of  charitable  heterodoxy.  To  the  labours  of  this  indefatigable 
and  interesting  man,  whom  no  dangers  could  daunt,  and  no  ob- 
loquy confound,  and  who  having  been  in  the  service  himself,  has 
been  long  and  justly  known  as  the  "  seamen's  friend,"  in  the  best 
sense  of  that  phrase  ;  it  is  due,  at  least,  to  acknowledge  that  his 
intrepid  Christian  spirit,  and  unwearied  personal  exertions  in 
London  and  elsewhere,  led  to  the  establishment,  though  they 
might  not  absolutely  give  birth,  to  all  the  institutions  now  existing 
for  the  promotion  of  religious  information  among  sailors.  With 
the  subordinate  details  of  his  personal  history,  (the  grounds  of 
so  much  misrepresentation,)  however  erratic,  I  have  nothing  at 
all  to  do ;  but  I  gladly  embrace  this  opportunity  of  leaving  an 
honest  and  gratuitous  testimony  to  the  extent  and  importance  of 
his  public  labours. 


1S8  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

memorial ;  and  that  the  opinions  of  the  wise  and  learned 
sages  of  antiquity  (although  in  many  of  them  but  learned 
ignorance)  had  tended  to  perpetuate  this  practice  still  more 
and  more.  Plato  had  declared  that  the  sea  was  the  school 
of  vice  ;  and  of  course,  seamen  were  regarded  as  scholars 
of  wickedness  themselves,  and  teachers  of  it  to  others. 
But  this  was  not  the  lowest  opinion  formed  of  them  by 
the  ancients.  When  Anacharsis  was  asked  whether  he 
supposed  that  the  number  of  the  dead  exceeded  the  num- 
ber of  the  living,  he  .replied,  '  first  inform  me  in  which  of 
these  classes  seamen  are  to  be  placed  V  implying,  that 
though  they  had  ca  name  to  live,'  they  were  considered 
virtually  dead,  and  of  course,  not  worthy  of  any  labour 
which  would  tend  to  meliorate  their  condition. 

"  The  opinions  of  our  christian  ancestors  were  not  much 
more  exalted  on  this  subject.  He  was  reminded  by  a  pre- 
ceding speaker,  who  had  alluded  to  the  great  and  good 
John  Flavel,  of  the  sentiment  of  the  good  puritan  with 
reference  to  seamen  in  his  day.  The  same,  said  he,  may 
be  applied  to  them,  which  was  said  of  an  ungodly  minis- 
ter, then  living, — whose  pulpit  discourses  were  so  superior 
to  his  daily  practice,  that  it  were  a  pity  he  should  ever 
leave  the  pulpit,  for,  when  mounted  there,  he  was  as  near 
to  heaven  as  ever  he  would  be  ;  so,  says  the  honest  divine, 
may  it  be  said  of  seamen :  when  tossed  upon  the  waves, 
•  they  mount  up  to  heaven,'  as  the  Psalmist  expresses  it, 
thai,  it  were  a  pity  they  should  ever  descend  again  ;  for 
it  was  as  near  as  ever  they  would  be.' 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  189 

"  Mr.  S.  observed,  he  could  not  recollect  that  any  fa- 
vourable notice  had  been  taken  of  seamen  by  the  christian 
world,  except  that  they  were  included  in  the  prayers  of 
the  church  of  England  by  the  petition  for  '  all  who  travel 
by  land  or  by  water :'  But  alas,  in  this  case  sailors  might 
in  some  sort  apply  the  reasoning  which  had  been  used 
with  reference  to  the  Catholic  priest,  who  would  willingly 
give  the  poor  man  his  blessing,  but  not  a  sixpence  of  his 
money :  which  led  the  suppliant  to  remark  to  the  ecclesi- 
astic, that  as  it  was  evident  he  would  not  bestow  it,  if  it 
cost  him  but  sixpence,  so  he  would  dispense  with  it !  Until 
the  present  day,  seamen  might  retort  upon  the  christian 
world  in  similar  language.  We  have  prayed,  but  have 
not  laboured  for  their  welfare ;  we  have  talked  a  good  deal, 
but  have  done  nothing,  until  the  formation  of  the  Bethel 
Union  Society.  But  now  the  stigma  is  removed ;  and, 
said  Mr.  S.,  although  I  must  turn  my  eyes  from  the  chair 
to  express  it,  lest  a  forbidden  look  should  chill  the  declara- 
tion I  am  proud  to  make  :  there  are  not  wanting  christians, 
who  give  more  than  their  prayers  on  every  sabbath  day  ; 
who  give  their  wealth,  their  time,  their  every  thing,  in  this 
labour  of  love ;  and  who  would  not  count  their  own  lives 
too  dear  to  sacrifice'  in  the  cause  of  Him, c  whose  they  are, 
and  whom  they  serve.'.  *  *  *  * 

"  The  disregard  which  seamen  are  thought  to  manifest 
for  the  sabbath,  and  every  religious  observance,  is  generally 
owing  to  a  similar  cause, — the  disrespect  which  their  cap- 
tain's manifest  to  these  things.     The  couplet,  which  sea- 


190  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

men  have  learnt,  as  expressive  of  the  Egyptian  rigour  of 
their  task-masters,  is  in  a  great  measure  true : — 

'  Six  days  thou  shalt  work  and  do  all  thou  art  able ; 
On  the  seventh,  thou  shalt  scour  the  decks,  and  then  wash 
the  cable.' 

"  But  let  the  captains  and  owners  of  ships  shew  a  vene- 
ration for  the  Lord's  day,  and  seamen  will  respect  it  more. 
It  was  therefore  with  pleasure  that  Mr.  S.  seconded  a  re- 
solution of  thanks  to  those  captains  and  owners  who  had 
dared  to  be  singular,  and  whose  example  he  trusted  would 
be  followed  by  many  others." 

His  popularity  now  became  unprecedentedly  great ;  peo- 
ple of  all  denominations  crowded  to  hear  him  :  it  was  no 
uncommon  thing  for  multitudes  to  surround  the  church, 
where  he  was  expected,  awaiting  the  opening  of  the  doors, 
so  that  before  the  time  of  service,  hundreds  have  had  to 
return  disappointed,  being  unable  to  gain  admittance. 
And  repeatedly  these  crowds  have  been  so  dense,  that  he 
had  to  get  to  the  pulpit  through  the  windows.  Weak  as 
he  was,  it  was  his  practice  to  preach  on  an  average  three 
times  a  week ;  besides  delivering  addresses  on  various 
occasions. 

It  had  ever  been  his  delight  (an  uncommon  merit  with 
men  so  eminently  gifted)  to  address  juvenile  auditories ;  he 
now  made  it  a  point  to  preach  once  a  month  to  the  chil- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  191 

dren,,  taking  up,  at  the  same  time,  a  collection  for  the  Mis- 
sionary Society.  In  these  addresses,  the  children  were 
delighted  by  his  method  of  instruction :  the  simplicity  and 
familiarity  of  his  manner  soon  won  the  attention  of  his 
youthful  hearers  ;  and  then  did  he  impress  upon  their 
susceptible  minds  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  illustrating  his 
remarks  by  the  most  striking  metaphors,  and  by  interesting 
and  appropriate  anecdotes.  On  these  occasions  he  never 
forgot  the  parents ;  for,  as  he  used  to  say,  he  liked  to 
preach  to  the  children,  because  it  afforded  him  an  oppor- 
tunity of  speaking  through  them,  plainly  and  affectionately, 
to  their  parents. 

The  subjoined  copy  of  a  letter,  addressed  by  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield  to  a  pious  lady,  whose  name  it  is  not  material  to 
mention,  may  close,  with  much  propriety  the  notices  of  f 
the  present  year  : — 

"New-York,  28th  Oct.  1821. 
Mr  dear  Sister, 

For  such,  I  trust,  you  will  allow  me  to  call  you ; — I 
can  assure  you  it  is  with  feelings  of  no  ordinary  kind  that 
T  now  sit  down  to  address  you  ;  but  I  feel  as  if  I  needed 
no  introduction — you  will  meet  me  with  the  salutation,  'how 
beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that  publish  glad  tidings  of 
good  things.' — Believe  me,  the  day  has  not  often  gone  by, 
in  which  I  have  not  thought  of  you,  and  prayed  that  the 
God  of  all  grace  would  cause  you  to  abound  in  every  good 
and  perfect  work  ;  that  he  would  perfect  in  you  that  which 


192  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

is  lacking,  and  cause  you  to  be  steadfast,  unmoveable, 
always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  ***** 
Startle  not  at  difficulties ;  I  have  in  general  marked,  that 
when  they  have  crossed  our  religious  path,  at  our  setting 
out,  we  have  become  more  confirmed  thenceforward  in  our 
professions ;  winds  and  storms  have  always  the  effect  of 
causing  the  tree  to  strike  deeper  root,  and  adhere  more 
firmly  to  that  into  which  it  has  been  planted :  and  again, 
those  trees  whose  roots  strike  deepest,  are  more  upright  in 
the  tendency  of  their  growth,  and  out-top  the  trees  of  the 
forest.  Oh,  that  this  may  indeed  become  the  case  with 
you  ;  that  you  may  sink  deeper  into  the  love  of  God,  and 
rise  higher  in  the  attainment  and  enjoyment  of  holiness  of 
heart,  the  mind  which  was  in  Jesus — straight  and  upright, 
always  tending  heavenward,  and  attracted  thither  con- 
tinually by  the  influence  of  the  sun  of  righteousness.  I 
trust,  my  dear  sister  has  learned  the  happy  art  of  fleeing  to 
the  strong  for  strength — that  she  has  often  opened  the 
treasury  of  heaven  by  the  key  of  prayer  ;  and  by  the  hand 
of  faith  received  out  of  his  fulness,  grace  upon  grace. 
Never  forget  that  'man  shall  be  blest,  as  much  as  man 
permits' — that  the  invitation  is,  '  Come,  for  all  things  are 
now  ready  :  ask  what  you  will,  and  it  shall  be  given  you  ; 
and  whatsoever  you  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  it  shall  be 
done  for  you  ;' — but  mark — ask  in  faith,  nothing  doubting ; 
remember,  the  condition  remains  ever  this,  '  if  thou  canst 
believe,  thou  shalt  see  the  salvation  of  God' — whatsoever 
ye  ask  in  prayer,  believing  that  ye  receive  them,  ye  shall  have 
them  ;  for  '  all  things  are  possible  to  him  that  belie veth.' 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  193 

Seek,  however,  the  present  belief  for  a  present  blessing  ; 
though  it  is  promised  that  you  '  shall  see  the  salvation  of 
God,'  yet,  it  is  if  thou  canst  now  believe.  Oh,  then  cry 
out,  { Lord,  I  do  believe' — I  do  now  believe ;  help  thou  mine 
unbelief.  Believe  that  God  has  given  you  eternal  life,  and 
that  life  is  in  his  Son : 

{ See  all  your  sins  on  Jesus  laid— 
The  Lamb  of  God  was  slain ;' 
"  And  then, 

'  Believe,  and  all  your  sins  forgiven, 
Only  believe,  and  your's  is  heaven.' — 

"  May  God  open  to  you  the  mystery  of  faith ;  give  you 
eyes  to  see  that  he  has  given  you  every  thing  in  the  gift  oj 
Jesus — pardon,  and  holiness,  and  heaven ;  believe  that  they 
are  your's,  and  your's  through  the  right  of  Jesus,  and  your's 
now  ;  and  you  will  soon  receive  the  seal  of  his  spirit,  as 
the  witness  of  your  adoption  into  the  family  of  his  dear  son. 
Write  me  fully  and  freely,  and  T  will  from  time  to  time 
communicate  such  advice  as  the  Lord  shall  enable  me. 
Meantime,  with  many  assurances  of  Christian  brotherly 
affection,  believe  me  your  sincere  well-wisher, 

J.    SuMMERFIELD." 

The  year  1822  is  one  of  great  importance  in  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield's  ministerial  life,  and  the  bundle  of  documents 
relating  thereto,  is  rich  in  interesting — and,  I  am  sorry  to 
add — melancholy   memorials ;   as,   however,   his  journal   « 

R 


194  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

(with  an  exception  hereafter  noticed,)  was  intermitted  for  at 
least  twenty  months,  I  shall  introduce  ample  extracts  from 
his  correspondence. 

In  a  letter  to  his  father,  dated  New- York,  January  12, 
1822,  he  says  : — "  We  are  doing  well  here  in  our  Church 
concerns  ;  the  Lord  has  graciously  poured  out  his  spirit  on 
the  late  festival  occasions,  and  numbers  have  been  con- 
verted to  him.  I  preached  on  the  watch  night  in  John- 
street,  and  the  word  was  indeed  accompanied  with  power ; 
it  was  the  best  season  of  the  kind  ever  remembered  in  this 
city  ; — but  particularly  on  last  Sabbath  the  Lord  visited  his 
people.  I  preached  in  the  evening  in  John-street,  and 
after  preaching,  I  renewed  the  Covenant,  as  we  do  in 
Europe.  It  was  altogether  new  here.  It  was  accompanied 
with  a  great  blessing,  and  between  twenty  and  thirty  souls 
have  been  added  to  the  Lord  in  consequence — besides, 
there  is  a  great  deepening  of  religion  in  the  hearts  of  om 
people,  and  we  have  peace  and  love  in  all  our  borders." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  to  Mr.  Blackstock, 
dated  Baltimore,  March  5th,  1822  : 

"  On  Friday  morning  I  left  Philadelphia  at  6  o'clock,  and 
travelled  without  any  intermission,  except  about  two  hours, 
till  near  six  o'clock  on  Saturday  evening,  when  I  arrived 
in  Baltimore,  jaded  indeed.  The  road  was  good,  except 
about  fifty  miles  of  it,   which  was  indeed  intolerable. 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  195 

However,  I  am  in  good  health,  thank  God,  and  quite  re- 
cruited. 

"My  reception  here  has  been  highly  grateful  to  my 
feelings  as  a  Methodist.  The  attention  shown  me  by  all 
ranks,  is  more  than  I  can  well  bear ;  but  the  Lord  supports 
me.  Indeed,  I  feel  in  a  very  unpleasant  situation,  in  a 
certain  degree ;  when  I  came  to  New- York,  I  was  un- 
known, and  whatever  favour,  therefore,  the  Lord  gave 
me  in  the  eyes  of  the  people,  was  more  than  was  calculated 
upon  ; — but  here,  fame  has  preceded  me,  and  blown  a  very 
loud  trumpet  indeed ;  many  expect  from  me,  I  almost 
think,  something  more  than  human,  and  as  all  such  must 
inevitably  be  disappointed,  I  stand  upon  very  unequal 
ground  from  my  situation  in  New- York — there,  they  ex- 
pected nothing;  here,  they  expect  every  thing. 

"  I  preached  on  Sabbath  morning  in  Light-street  Church, 
to  a  great  multitude,  although  my  fatigues  from  travelling 
were  great. 

"  On  Friday  morning,  I  intend  to  set  off  to  Washing- 
ton, in  Mr.  Foxall's  carriage  ;  he  is  here  with  me,  and  is 
indeed  a  kind  father  to  me.  I  shall  be  absent  from  here 
the  two  following  Sabbaths,  visiting  Washington,  George- 
town, and  Alexandria,  and  return  on  the  Thursday  fol- 
lowing :  the  next  day  I  have  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the 
Bible  Society  here,  and  in  a  few  days  after,  that  of  the 


196  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

sabbath  schools — as  soon  as  possible  afterwards,  I  go  on 
to  Annapolis,  to  brother  Emory. 

"  You  need  not  be  apprehensive  concerning  me,  for  I 
assure  you  I  have  found  a  father  in  brother  Rozsell :  he  is 
the  presiding  elder  in  this  district,  and  will  not  permit  me 
to  preach  oftener  than  three  times  a  week  ;  so  that  I  can 
shelter  myself  under  his  authority,  and  avoid  all  extra 
solicitations. 

"  I  am  at  present  at  brother  Harden's  ; — he  is  indeed  a 
kind  man,  and  receives  me  with  an  Irish  welcome." 

To  those  who  heard  this  devout  and  eloquent  "  messen- 
ger of  the  churches,"  preach  during  the  progress  alluded 
to  in  the  foregoing  paragraphs,  no  description  can  be 
necessary  to  recall  him  in  their  hearts  and  memories. 
Others,  however,  who  had  not  that  privilege,  will  be  gratified 
to  have  their  conceptions  aided  by  the  following  passages, 
extracted  from  long  newspaper  notices,  published  at  the 
time  and  on  the  spot. 

"  It  has  often  been  asked  by  those  who  have  not  enjoyed 
the  pleasure  of  hearing  Mr.  Summerfield,  in  what  the 
peculiar  character  of  his  preaching  consisted  1 

"  The  youth,  and  apparent  debility  of  the  speaker ;  the 
deferent  and  solemn  maimer  in  which  he  performed  the 
initiatory  offices  of  divine  worship ;   and,  above  all,  the 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  197 

chaste  and  fervent  simplicity  of  his  petition  to  the  Eternal, 
swept  aside  all  prejudice,  and  opened  every  heart  and  every 
eye  to  the  truth  and  { beauty  of  holiness.' 

"  His  sermon  was,  beyond  comparison,  superior  to  any 
thing  the  writer  ever  heard,  although  he  has  enjoyed  op- 
portunities of  hearing,  with  no  careless  ear,  many  faithful 
and  able  ministers  of  the  word.  Tt  was  not  of  that 
declamatory  kind  which  is  calculated  to  excite  the  feelings 
of  a  promiscuous  assembly  ;  nor  of  that  subtle  and  meta- 
physical texture  which  involves  the  most  vigorous  intellects, 
and  perplexes  the  plainest  truth.  It  was,  on  the  contrary, 
a  happy  union  of  argument  and  entreaty :  seeking  to  con- 
vince, and  c  persuade  men'  of  propositions  distinctly  stated, 
cogently  enforced,  and  happily  illustrated  by  natural  and 
felicitous  imagery.  It  was  the  outpouring  of  a  full  heart, 
seeking  to  disburthen  itself  of  the  awful  responsibility  of 
its  station,  and  to  give  vent  to  the  '  glad  tidings'  of  the 
gospel,  as  the  spirit  gave  it  utterance,"  &c.  &c. 

PoulsorCs  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

Speaking  of  his  services  in  Light-street  church,  the  cor- 
respondent of  another  local  paper,  among  other  remarks, 
says — "It  is  unnecessary  here  to  mention  the  text  he  took  to 
expound,  or  the  manner  in  which  he  applied  the  words  of  it 
in  elucidating  his  discourse  \  it  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  the 
forcible,  energetic,  and  masterly  manner,  in  which  he 
addressed  the  congregation — the  chastity  and  harmony  of 
his  language — the  beauty  and  elegance  of  his  whole  dis- 
r2 


198  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

course — the  deep  knowledge  he  displayed  of  theology,  not 
only  reflected  honour  upon  his  head,  but  evinced,  in  an 
eminent  degree,  the  purity  and  goodness  of  his  heart  as  a 
christian  and  minister  of  the  gospel.  Nature  has,  indeed, 
bestowed  upon  him  the  noblest  faculty  that  can  be  given 
to  man,  combining  in  itself  all  the  force  of  reason,  the 
cogency  of  argument,  and  the  propriety  of  delivery — for 
such  is  eloquence,"  &c.  &c. 

Under  the  head  of  "  the  modern  Whitfield,"  the  "  Dela- 
ware Watchman"  gives  a  long  letter  from  a  correspondent 
at  Philadelphia.  "  The  discourses  of  this  wonderful  man," 
says  the  writer,  "  are  not  formed  upon  the  model  of  orators, 
ancient  or  modern.  They  are  not  made  up  according  to 
the  prescriptions  of  rhetoricians  of  great  or  lesser  name ; 
they  owe  nothing  to  the  magnificence  of  words,  or  the 
studied  graces  of  manner — but  they  are  deeply  imbued 
with  the  living  spirit  of  thought,  and  are  dependent  for 
their  influence  alone  upon  the  omnipotence  of  truth,  and 
the  irresistible  energy  of  genius.  His  gestures  are  with- 
out affectation — few,  but  fearless,  and  appropriate.  His 
words  spring  free  and  spontaneous  from  his  thoughts,  and 
these  gush  on  with  one  continued  flow  from  the  deep  and 
unfailing  fountain  of  a  spirit,  whose  source  is  in  nature  and 
God,"  &c.  &c. 

However  gratifying  it  might  be  to  go  on  with  these 
transcriptions,  which  might  be  extended  through  several 
pages,  from  other  papers,  the  foregoing  may  be  sufficient 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  199 

as  specimens  of  the  whole — at  least  in  this  place  :  it  may 
suffice,  therefore,  to  add  the  following,  from  a  Philadelphia 
print : — "  Mr.  Summerfield,  a  clergyman  from  England, 
of  the  Methodist  persuasion,  has  lately  delivered  several 
sermons  in  this  city,  which  have  been  attended  by  most 
unexampled  congregations,  of  all  denominations  of  chris- 
tians. He  is  truly  powerful  both  in  argument  and 
eloquence.  He  is  an  able  and  strenuous  advocate  of  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity.  His  last  discourse,  previous  to 
leaving  our  city,  was  delivered  yesterday  morning,  in  Dr. 
Wilson's  church,  Washington  square,  in  the  presence  of 
most  of  the  clergy,  and  a  concourse  of  at  least  four  thou- 
sand persons."  Like  a  true  evangelist,  he  embraced  this 
signal  opportunity  of  expounding  to  his  hearers  one  of  the 

most  vital   topics  of  revelation  : — "  Seeing  then  that  we 

* 

have  a  great  High  Priest,  that  is  passed  into  the  heavens. 

Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  hold  fast  our  profession." 
Heb.  iv.  14. 

While  this  tumult  of  popular  feeling  was  excited  by, 
and  around  him,  how  seasonable  was  the  following 
monitory  clause  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Summerfield  at  Balti- 
more, by  his  friend,  the  Rev.  Joshua  (now  Bishop)  Soule : 
— "  Amidst  the  mighty  crowd,  I  trust  your  single  eye  is 
fixed-on  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith.  All 
your  honours,  all  your  trophies,  you  will  hang  upon  the  cross, 
knowing  nothing  but  c  Him  crucified."1 — Watch  thou  in  all 
things,  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist,  make  full  proof  of 
thy  ministry — holding  the  faith  of  which  some  have  made 


200  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

shipwreck.  Let  others  attempt  to  eclipse  the  glory  of 
Emmanuel,  God  with  us,  and  limit  the  perfections  and  being  of 
the  divine  ^y<>s ;  but  ours  be  the  pleasing  task  to  preach 
1  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to  day,  and  for  ever.' " 

His  further  progress  will  be  best  described  in  his  own 
words.  Writing  to  Mr.  Blackstock,  from  Georgetown, 
under  date  of  the  13th  of  March,  he  says  : — "  I  left  Balti- 
more on  Friday  in  Mr.  Foxall's  carriage,  Mrs.  F.  accom- 
panying us  ;  the  distance  between  Baltimore  and  Washing- 
ton is  but  thirty-six  miles,  yet  we  made  it  a  two  days  jour- 
ney ;  so  that  you  may  infer  there  was  not  much  fatigue 
attending  it.  On  Sunday  morning,  I  preached  in  the 
Foundry  chapel  in  Washington,  to  an  overflowing  congre- 
gation, notice  having  been  inserted  in  the  newspapers. 
Although  it  was  the  sabbath  of  Mr.  Ryland's  appointment 
in  ordinary  to  preach  before  the  Congress  ;  yet,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  having  engaged  a  gentleman  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  early  in  the  week,  to  supply  his  place  there 
on  that  sabbath,  before  he  knew  of  my  coming  down,  I 
had  not  that  opportunity.  However,  there  were  about  fifty 
senators,  and  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
present,  filling  round  about  the  altar  inside,  and  in  the 
pulpit ;  and  among  the  rest,  John  Qiiincy  Adams,  secretary 
of  state,  (since  President  of  the  United  States,)  Calhoun, 
secretary  of  war,  and  others.  As  you  may  suppose,  I 
directed  my  attention  to  subvert  the  principles  of  Unitari- 
anism,  which  have  unhappily  found  their  way  into  Con- 
gress, through  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Sparks.  I  had  unusual 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  201 

liberty  and  boldness,  with  great  freedom  of  speech ;  the 
Lord  stood  by  me,  and  I  shunned  not  to  declare  all  the 
counsel  of  God — with  what  effect,  I  know  not ;  I  leave 
that  unto  the  Lord.  *  *  *  *  Yesterday,  for  the  first  time, 
I  visited  the  Congress  ;  I  received  many  marks  of  distin- 
guished attention  from  members  of  both  houses;  their 
kindness  was  very  great,  and  of  course,  very  grateful  to 
my  feelings  as  a  stranger.  I  am  requested  to  preach  in 
the  House  of  Representatives,  on  next  Sunday ;  it  is  a 
most  spacious  hall,  and  will  contain  far  more  than  the 
members  of  both  chambers." 

The  "  Metropolitan  and  Georgetown  National  Messenger" 
thus  describes  the  preacher  as  he  appeared  in  Dr.  Baltch's 
(the  Presbyterian)  church : — "  Mr.  Summerfield  is  a  young 
gentleman  of  no  ordinary  capacity,  and  his  oratorical 
powers  render  him  an  object  of  deep  and  livery  interest. 
When  he  becomes  animated,  he  appears  as  if  the  very 
breathings  of  the  Spirit  were  on  him ;  and  his  countenance 
is  lighted  up  with  a  fire,  bright  and  holy,  like  that  which 
appeared  to  Moses  on  Mount  Horeb.  His  action  and 
enunciation  are  chaste — his  voice  is  rather  weak,  but  is  quite 
melodious,  and  its  intonations  inconceivably  fine — his  face 
wears  the  aspect  of  a  youth  not  out  of  his  teens,  but  is 
modest  and  unassuming.  We  think  Mr.  S.  is  every  way 
calculated  to  do  good  in  the  vineyard  of  his  divine  Master." 

To  suppose  that  Summerfield  was  himself  insensible 
amidst  all  this  excitement,  would  be  absurd :  he  must  have 


202  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

been  more  or  less  than  a  man  to  have  experienced  no 
peculiar  emotions  under  such  circumstances  ; . it  is  enough 
to  assert,  that  his  native  modesty  and  christian  humility 
remained  unchanged.  How  properly  he  estimated  the 
flatteries  of  the  press,  (honest  and  valuable  as  they  un- 
doubtedly were,)  may  be  inferred  from  a  pleasant  passage  in 
the  letter  about  to  be  quoted.  Addressing  Mr.  Blackstock, 
and  of  course,  with  him,  all  the  members  of  the  family  in 
New- York,  he  writes  : — 

"Annapolis,  Maryland,  March  25th,  1822. 
"  My  dear  James, 

"  I  promised  to  write  to  you  to  day,  and  agreeably 
thereto,  I  sit  down  for  the  purpose.  My  last  was  from 
Georgetown,  which  place  I  left  on  Wednesday  last.  I 
suppose  I  need  not  inform  you  of  any  particulars  concern- 
ing my  stay  in  that  place,  and  Washington,  as  you  have 
probably  seen  my  movements  in  the  newspapers  of  this 
part  of  the  country.  Newspaper  editors  have  not  much 
to  do  at  present,  and  therefore  any  novelty  affords  them  a 
subject  for  scribbling ;  however,  they  are  all  favourable, 
extremely  so  ;  in  opposition  to  my  Newark  friend,  one 
extols  my  gesture,  as  being  truly  chaste  and  correct ; 
another  speaks  of  my  voice,  as  perfect  harmony ;  and 
another  says,  that  its  intonations  are  inconceivably  fine  ! ! 
Dear  me  ! — what  will  they  say  next  ?  I  wish  I  was  out 
of  the  way  of  all  this  fussbuss,  and  returned  to  New- York. 
I  only  mention  these  things,  because  I  know  they  will  only 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  203 

produce  in  you,  the  same  effect  they  do  in  me,  exciting  a 
pleasant  smile. 

"  On  last  Sabbath  I  intended  to  have  preached  in  the 
Capitol  at  Washington,  but  when  I  went,  the  crowd  was 
so  immense,  that  I  took  my  stand  on  the  lofty  steps  in 
front  of  the  House,  and  preached  in  the  open  air.  I  can- 
not tell  you  how  many  were  assembled  on  foot,  but  the 
sight  was  very  imposing,  being  flanked  in  by  several  lines 
of  carriages  filled  with  company,  who  retained  their  seats, 
and  listened  with  great  attention,  so  that  I  infer  that  I  was 
heard  to  the  extremity.  The  wind  was  somewhat  in  my 
face,  and  rendered  the  exertion  greater,  and  I  contracted 
some  hoarseness  consequently  ;  but  am  now  pretty  well. 

"  On  Monday  I  rode  to  Alexandria,  eight  miles  from 
Washington  ;  I  had  intended  to  proceed  to  Mount  Vernon, 
the  sepulchre  of  Washington's  remains,  but  having  to 
preach  that  evening,  I  declined." 

The  text  upon  which  he  discoursed,  from  the  platform 
at  the  eastern  front  of  the  Capitol,  was,  "  We  preach  Christ 
crucified,  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling  block,  and  to  the  Greeks 
foolishness." — "If  we  are  to  form  an  opinion  of  his  merits," 
says  the  Washington  City  Gazette,  "  by  his  popularity  as  a 
preacher,  the  eagerness  to  hear  him  has  scarcely  been 
equalled  since  the  days  of  his  pious  predecessor,  George 
Whitfield."  Summerfield,  however,  was  not  well  calcu- 
lated to  address  out  of  door-multitudes  ;  in  voice,  he  pos- 


•'• 


2D4  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

sessed  neither  the   stentorian  depth  of   the  apostle  of 
Georgia,  nor  the   sonorous   compass  of  the  founder  of 

Methodism. 

He  now  turned  his  feet  homeward ;  having  experienced, 
during  his  visit  to  the  places  above  enumerated,  unpa- 
ralleled tokens  of  affection ;  indeed,  he  observes  in  a  note 
to  his  friends,  that  he  found  the  kindness  of  the  good  people 
of  Baltimore  "  increase  to  so  painful  a  degree,  that  I  longed 
to  tear  myself  away ;"  and  so  many  presents  did  he  re- 
ceive of  various  kinds,  that  he  had  to  get  an  extra  trunk 
to  contain  them.  In  the  month  of  April,  he  arrived  in 
New- York,  from  which  place,  on  the  25th,  he  wrote  to  Mr. 
Samuel  Harden,  of  Baltimore.*  The  following  is  an  extract 
of  the  letter,  which  is  one  of  a  series  of  seventeen,  addressed 
by  Mr.  Summerfield  to  this  gentleman  : — "  Oh  that  my 
gracious  Lord  would  cause  all  the  plenitude  of  his  grace 
to  abound  within  your  soul ;  it  is  yours  ;  it  has  been  pur- 
chased, claim  it  through  the  right  of  Jesus ;  and  take  all 
the  fulness  of  that  which  heaven  waits  to  pour  into  the 
heart  of  him  who  asks,  believing  that  he  has  the  very 
petitions  which  he  asks  through  the  name  of  the  advocate 
with  the  Father.     I  will  endeavour  to  multiply  words  at 

*  A  more  devoted  friend  than  Mr.  S.  Harden  was  to  my  dear 
brother-in-law,  I  have  not  known.  He  is  an  extensive  merchant 
in  Baltimore,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  in  that  city, 
and  a  man  of  great  influence  in  the  Society. 

J.  BlacTcstoch 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  205 

the  throne  of  grace  in  your  behalf,  that  you  may  enjoy  all 

the  fulness  of  the  blood-bought  salvation.     Tell  R 

she  must  take  care  that  Martha  does  not  turn  Mary  out 
of  the  house  altogether ;  or,  in  other  words,  that  while  she 
is  so  busily  employed  in  the  Missionary  cause,  for  the 
benefit  of  others,  she  must  not  neglect  the  one  thing  which 
is  so  essential  for  herself." 

The  exalted  opinion  which  the  public  entertained  of  Mr. 
Summerfield's  eloquence,  at  this  time,  was  not  only  abun- 
dantly confirmed,  but  exceedingly  heightened,  by  a  Sermon, 
which  he  preached  on  the  7th  of  May,  in  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  Nassau-street,  in  behalf  of  the  New-York 
Institution  for  the  Instruction  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb.  The 
text  upon  which  the  discourse  was  founded,  was  Luke  vi. 
36.  "  Be  ye  therefore  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is  mer- 
ciful ;"  and  the  following  were  the  concluding  sentences — 
although  the  very  words  of  the  preacher,  those  only  who 
heard  them  in  that  great  congregation,  can  conceive  of  the 
fervour  with  which  they  were  uttered  : — "  But  I  transfer 
these  children  now  to  you.  Behold  them  !* — they  now 
stand  before  you,  as  you  must  stand  before  the  judgement- 
seat  of  Christ !  Dare  you  on  this  occasion  say, 

*  The  preacher  dropped  his  handkerchief  on  the  platform, 
and  the  objects  of  the  charity  stood  up  in  the  presence  of  the 
congregation.    The  effect  was  electrical. 

s 


206  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  '      ^  ^ 

1  The  mercy  I  to  others  shew, 
{ That  mercy  sliew  to  me  :' 


Do  you  realize  that  day  ?  You  must  stand  stripped  of  every 
earthly  treasure — naked  before  God  !  While  you  plead  for 
mercy,  cast  all  earthly  treasure  from  you  now : — these 
now  plead  with  you,  as  you  will  plead  with  God : — hear 
them  !    I   do  not  mock   you  ! — Silence    like    their's   is 
eloquence.     The  hand  of  God  has  smitten  them,  but  the 
stroke  which  blasted,  consecrated  them  !  Heaven  has  cast 
them  on  you : — if  you  withhold,  'tis  sacrilege  !  Will  a  man 
rob  God  1  Are  you  still  passing  by  on  the  other  side  ?  Still 
griping,  with  a  miser's  fist,  the  pelf  of  earth  ? — Father  of 
Mercies  !  palsy  not  that  hand  ! — wither  not  that  eye  which 
can  gaze  on  these  objects,  and  not  feel  affected !  On  me 
be  the  wrong  !  I  have  failed  to  affect  them — these  children 
have  failed.     Thou  canst  move  them ; — Oh,  descend  as 
with  cloven  tongues  of  fire!  and  find  thou  an  entrance 
into  every  heart ! — But — I  can  no  more  !"     The  sermon 
being    concluded,   the   collection   was   taken   up,    which 
amounted  to  something  over  one  thousand  dollars,  a  gold 
necklace,  and  several  rings  !     This  Sermon,  the   only  one 
ever  published  by  Mr.  Summerfield,  was  printed  at  the 
request  of  the  Directors,  and  two  editions  sold  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Institution.    It  may  be  added,  that  on  the  18th  of 
April,  1822,  a  law  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New- 
York  was  passed,  entitled,  "  Jin  act  to  provide  for  the  Indi- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERPIELD.  207 

gent  Deaf  and  Dumb  within  this  State ;"  thus  transferring 
the  maintenance  of  these  institutions  for  the  destitute 
from  the  charity  of  individuals  to  the  resources  of  govern 
ment. 


208  MEMOIRS  07  THE 


SECTION  XII. 

Ordained  Deacon — violent  illness — dictates  a  testamentary 
paper — recovers  slowly — public  anxiety — letters — Episcopal 
certificate  to  travel — visits  New -Jersey — created  Master  of 
Arts — letter. 

In  the  month  of  June,  the  Conference  of  that  section  of 
the  American  Methodist  Society  to  which  Mr.  Summer- 
field  belonged,  was  held  in  the  city  of  New- York.  He 
attended  the  sittings  daily,  though  evidently  labouring  at 
the  same  time  under  indisposition.  Having  fulfilled  his 
probation,  he  was  now,  according  to  the  usage  of  the 
church,  ordained  Deacon.  The  following  is  the  Cer- 
tificate : — 

"Know  all  men  bt  these  presents,  That  I,  Wil- 
liam M'Kendree,  one  of  the  Bishops  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  America,  under  the  protection  of  Almighty 
God,  and  with  a  single  eye  to  his  glory,  by  the  imposition 
of  my  hands  and  prayer,  have  this  day  set  apart  John 
Summerfield,  for  the  office  of  a  Deacon  in  the  said 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  a  man  whom  I  judge  to  be 
well  qualified  for  that  work  :   and  I  do  hereby  recommend 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  209 

him  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  as  a  proper  person  to  ad- 
minister the  ordinances  of  Baptism,  Marriage,  and  the 
Burial  of  the  Dead,  in  the  absence  of  an  Elder ;  and  to 
feed  the  flock  of  Christ,  so  long  as  his  spirit  and  practice 
are  such  as  become  the  gospel. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  seal,  this  second  day  of  June,  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  twenty-two. 


"W.  M'Kendree.  [Seal.] 


"  Done  in  the  City 
of  New- York." 


A  few  days  after  this  ordination,  he  proceeded  with  his 
venerable  Bishop,  M'Kendree,  to  Philadelphia ;  the  fatigue 
which  he  endured  on  this  journey,  (short  of  100  miles,)  was 
more  than  his  weak  frame  could  bear,  and  on  his  arrival 
he  was  taken  with  a  violent  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs  ;  and 
so  severe  was  the  attack,  and  so  reducing  the  consequent 
treatment,  that  he  was  brought  down  to  the  verge  of  the 
grave.  On  the  11th  of  June,  he  was  given  up  by  the 
physicians,  and  it  was  thought  that  a  few  hours  would  ter- 
minate his  life.  At  this  crisis,  he  declared  himself  to  be 
fully  vi  spared  for  the  change  which  seemed  to  be  at  hand, 
and  said  that  he  felt  "  inconceivably  happy,"  requesting  Ms 
brother,  who  was  present,  to  have  "  his  mind  made  up." 
He  then  desired  that  his  writing  desk  might  be  placed  by 
his  side  on  the  bed,  and  although  so  feeble  that  he  could 


s2 


210  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

hardly  move  his  eye,  he  wrote  the  following  directions 
with  a  facility  truly  astonishing  : — 

"  June  11th,  1822.  I  the  subscriber,  being  about,  as  far 
as  human  calculation  can  determine,  to  leave  this  world 
for  a  better,  being  unable  to  speak  sufficiently  to  convey 
my  last  wishes  on  certain  matters  dependent  upon  my 
death,  do  hereby  advise, 

"  1st.     That  my  body  be  decently  interred  in  Philadel 
phia,  where  it  now  is,  without  pomp  or  parade. 

"  2d.  That  if  it  be  the  wish  of  the  physicians,  they 
are  at  liberty  to  open  it  after  my  decease,  to  ascertain  the 
nature  of  my  complaint ;  this  may  serve  others ;  and  as  I 
have  wished  its  strength  and  vigour  to  be  devoted  for  the 
good  of  man,  I  am  willing  that  the  corpse  be  also  so  applied ; 
— not  desiring  either  to  live  to  myself,  or  die  to  myself. 

"  3d.  I  have  little  effects  remaining  :  I  entered  not  into 
the  ministry  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  from 
pecuniary  considerations,  and  had  only  a  provision  of  food 
and  raiment ;  owing  to  the  benevolence  of  dearly  beloved 
brother  and  sister  Blackstock,  and  my  kind  friends,  the 
sum  allowed  me  for  food  has  not  been  expended  ;  there 
will  be  found,  therefore,  two  hundred  dollars  in  the  writing 
desk  in  my  room  at  Dr.  Beekman's,  in  a  red  pocket-book ; 
this  sum  is  in  two  promissory  notes  of  the  Methodist  Book 
concern — the  money  being  lodged  there  at  interest  ; — it 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  211 

is  my  desire,  that  this  be  preserved  for  my  two  poor  girls, 
Amelia  and  Anne,  (his  sisters,)  as  a  farewell  token  of  my 
love  for  them ; — to  be  received  by,  or  for  them,  at  any 
after  period  of  their  lives. 

"  4th.     I  earnestly  beseech  my  good  brother  Waldo,  in 
•     Pine-street,  by  all  the  love  he  ever  shewed  me,  to  give  my 
portrait  to  brother  and  sister  Blackstock  ;  and  I  beg  they 
will  accept  of  it  as  a  farewell  gift. 

"  5th.  It  is  my  charge  that  my  pocket  volumes  of  MS. 
sermons,  &c.  be  retained  by  Mr.  Blackstock. — This  charge, 
is  in  trust  for  either  of  my  brothers,  Joseph,  or  William,  in 
case  the  Lord  should  call  either  of  them  into  the  work 
of  the  ministry  ;  they  may  then  avail  themselves  of  my 
labours. 

"  6th.  With  regard  to  my  Theological  books  and 
pamphlets,  Mr.  Blackstock  may  retain  them  for  the  same 
purpose  as  above :  all  my  other  books,  I  give  to  Mr. 
Blackstock ;  as  also  my  Theological  ones,  in  case  of 
failure  of  my  hopes  with  regard  to  either  of  my  brothers. 

"  7th.  There  is  in  the  writing  desk  in  Dr.  Beekman's, 
also,  eleven  dollars  in  notes,  and  a  ten  dollar  gold  eagle  ; 
this  sum  is  for  the  Young  Men's  Missionary  Society,  of 
which  I  am  President,  being  ten  dollars  from  Dr.  Beek- 
man  for  his  son,  ten  dollars  from  Mr.  Bethune,  and  one 
dollar  from  Mrs.  Wallace,  as  a  donation. 


212  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

"  8th.     I  owe  to  Mr.  Brown,  the  tailor,  eleven  dollars — " 

The  document  was  here  abruptly  broken  off,  at  the 
request  of  his  brother,  on  perceiving  that  the  sufferer  was 
completely  exhausted,Sn  consequence  of  the  effort  he  had 
made  to  write  thus  far.  The  writing  apparatus  being 
removed,  he  laid  down  in  bed,  and  immediately  fell  into  a 
sound  sleep,  from  which  he  did  not  awake,  until  after  a 
lapse  of  sixteen  hours  !  During  this  repose,  the  natural 
energy  of  his  shattered  constitution  had  made  a  vigourous 
effort,  and  when  he  awoke,  a  change  for  the  better  had 
evidently  taken  place.  He  continued  to  improve  daily ; 
and  in  a  week  was  able  to  write  home  the  following 
letter : — 

"  Philadelphia,  June  ISth,  1822. 

"  My  dear  James, 
'  "I  suppose  you  will  not  expect  more  than  a  line  or  two, 
when  you  see  it  is  from  me  ;  and  when  you  know  that  I 
am  writing,  while  on  my  back  in  bed. — I  still  continue  to 
improve,  and  have  had  no  return  of  the  bleeding  ;  Ellen 
(Mrs.  Blackstock)  says  she  is  better,  and  will  write  to-mor- 
row ;  my  father  and  she  unite  with  me  in  love  to  you,  and 
William,  and  my  poor  girls  Amelia  and  Anne.  The  Lord 
bless  you  all ! 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

Such  was  the  intense  solicitude  which  the  report  of  Mr, 
Summerfield's  illness  produced  in  Philadelphia  and  else- 
where, that  something  like  bulletins,  announcing  his  conva- 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  213 

lescence,  were  published  in  the  newspapers.  One  of  them 
observes,  "  there  is  no  better  proof  of  the  lofty  estimation  in 
which  this  gentleman's  character  and  talents  are  held,  than 
the  intense  anxiety  which  has  been  manifested  for  his 
recovery.  We  recollect  no  instance  of  the  kind,  in  which 
public  sympathy  has  been  so  warmly  engaged,  or  in  which 
the  danger  of  one  individual  has  produced  so  lively  a  sen- 
sation upon  the  general  mind." 

From  several  letters  received  by  Mr.  Summerfield, 
after  his  recovery,  it  appears  how  sincerely  his  fathers 
and  brethren  in  the  ministry  sympathised  with  him. 
Passing  by  others,  the  reader  will  be  gratified  with  the 
perusal  of  a  passage  from  a  letter  addressed  to  him  by 
the  venerable  Freeborn  Garretson,  a  man  who  was  emi- 
nently revered  among  his  colleagues,  and  whose  name  is 
not  confined  to  America — he  died  in  1827.  The  letter  is 
dated  Rhinebeck,  July  5th,  1S22,  and  commences — 

u  Mr  DEAR  AFFLICTED  YOUNG  FRIEND, 

"  I  received  a  letter  from  two  of  our  general  superin- 
tendents, advising  you  and  myself  to  journey  and  labour 
together,  part  at  least  of  this  summer,  if  health,  and  a 
willing  mind,  permit — I  hope  ever  to  stand  ready  to  con- 
tribute my  little  mite  to  promote  the  good  cause  in  the  best 
way  possible  :  I  cannot  converse  on  paper  with  that  cer- 
tainty, as  if  we  were  face  to  face,  and  knew  each  other's 
feelings,  &c.  However,  I  will  venture  to  speak,  and  judge 
ye  j  Rhinebeck   is  a  healthy  place,  and  if  your  health  or 


214  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

strength  will  permit,  1  think  you  had  better  come  up  as 
soon  as  you  can ;  and  then  we  shall  know  better  how  to  lay 
plans  for  future  usefulness.  My  dear  young  friend,  you 
may  be  sure  of  this,  that  I  shall  be  far  from  pressing 
labours  on  you  ;  perhaps  there  has  been  too  much  of  that 
already.  It  is  possible,  with  care  and  attention,  you  may 
be  restored  to  health,  and  a  long  useful  life ;  which  no 
doubt  is  the  prayer  of  thousands. 

"  The  great  Head  of  the  church  knows  what  is  the 
best  for  his  creatures.  Some  he  spares  long,  and  others 
he  calls  away  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  though  intrusted 
with  splendid  talents  and  signal  usefulness.  This  at  once 
may  show  us,  that  God  can  do  without  us,  and  that  we 
ought  to  sit  at  his  feet.  God  bless  you,  my  son,  and 
make  you  every  thing  he  would  have  you  be.  Pray 
for  me. 

Your's,  affectionately, 

"F.  GARRETSON." 

Mr.  Summerfield  recovered  so  slowly,  that  in  one  of  his 
letters,  he  says  concerning  his  health — "  I  begin  to  enter- 
tain serious  apprehensions  it  will  improve  no  more. — I 
think  I  have  the  prospect  of  a  lingering  decline,  not 
unlike  that  of  my  dear  mother.  I  wish  I  could  add,  that  I 
had  also  the  prospect  of  the  same  triumphant  end !  On 
this  subject  I  am  very  low."  At  the  recommendation  of 
Dr.  Physic,  and  in  the  hope  of  salutary  effects  from  the 
air  and  water  of  New-Mills,  he  took  a  journey  to  Jersey ; 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  215 

his  health,  however,  improved  "  but  slowly  :"  and  in  a  letter 
from  Burlington,  dated  August,  1822,  he  speaks  of  his 
state  in  these  measured  terms  : — "  my  health  is  not  worse 
than  when  I  last  wrote  to  you,  but  I  think  I  may  say,  it 
is  somewhat  improved." 

His  affectionate  and  sensitive  mind  was  at  this  time 
exposed  to  an  experiment  of  a  very  painful  kind,  by  the 
tidings  of  the  death  of  an  eminent  physician,  whom  he 
greatly  loved,  and  whose  house  used  to  be  Mr.  Summer- 
field's  home,  when  in  Baltimore.  In  a  letter  dated  from 
Burlington,  19th  of  August,  he  says  : — "  On  Saturday  I 
received  the  distressing  news,  that  my  dear  friend,  Dr. 
Baker,  of  Baltimore,  is  an  inhabitant  of  another  world ! 
You  know  he  wrote  two  letters  to  me  during  my  illness, 
and  was  then  in  perfect  health !  at  that  time,  I  was,  as 
you  saw  me,  hanging  between  time  and  eternity,  insomuch 
that  the  letters  were  kept  from  me  ; — yet  how  soon  is  the 
scene  changed  i  he  is  laid  low,  and  I  am  spared  !  Gracious 
God !  how  mysterious  are  thy  providences !  I  know  not 
why  I  was  spared,  for  truly  I  am  an  unprofitable  piece  of 
lumber,  a  burthen  to  my  friends  and  to  myself.  Oh,  that 
the  design  for  which  I  have  been  spared,  may  have  its 
full  accomplishment  in  me."  This  report  turned  out  to  be 
unfounded ;  Dr.  Baker  had  indeed  been  near  death,  but 
recovered.  What  had  been  the  exercises  and  temper  of 
Mr.  Summerfieid's  spirit  on  this  occasion,  and  how  sincerely 
he  rejoiced  in  the  restoration  of  one  of  his  best  friends, 
will  appear  from  the  following  tender  letter : — 


216  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

"  Burlington,  August  21st,  182& 
"  My  dear,  doubly  dear  Doctor, 

"  While  I  write  to  you,  I  scarcely  believe  myself 
awake ; — it  seems  a  pleasant  dream.  To  me,  you  are  as 
one  risen  from  thS  dead  !  On  Saturday  last,  I  beard  that 
Dr.  Baker  was  no  more  ! — I  wept — I  prayed — I  painted 
the  whole  picture  of  his  bereaved  family  before  my  mind  ; 
and  often  have  I  put  the  question  to  myself  since  that 
time,  what  will  become  of  the  fatherless  children  ? — 'Tis 
true,  I  had  some  cordial  in  the  cup,  for  I  anticipated  that 
my  dear  friend  departed  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith ;  I 
fancied  the  feelings  of  the  moment,  when  the  last  thread 
was  cut,  and  he 

c  Clapt  his  glad  wings,  and  soared  away,  t 

To  mingle  with  the  blaze  of  day :' 

and  under  these  views,  I  had  said,  { Their  loss  is  his  infinite 
gain.' — But  again,  I  had  thought  of  the  bereaved  partner, 
and  poor  Mrs.  Dickins,  and  Eloisa,  and  I  wished  I  was 
in  Baltimore,  yet  dared  not  trust  myself  to  bear  the  scene. 
— But  my  friend  lives !  glory,  glory  be  to  God  ! — I  am 
revived  ;  my  spirits  have  risen,  all  is  well.  Oh,  my  dear 
Doctor,  I  am  partly  beside  myself,  and  I  know  not  what  to 
write ;  but  I  shall  recover  myself,  and  my  Father  which  is 
in  heaven,  must  be  the  only  witness  of  the  feelings  which 
now  throb  in  my  heart. 

'  I'll  praise  Him  while  he  lends  me  breath  P 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  21? 

"  And  now  that  I  have  received  my  dear  friend  again  from 
the  dead,  now  that  Lazarus  has  risen  after  being  four  days 
in  the  grave,  shall  the  love  of  Martha  or  of  Mary  exceed 
the  gratitude  which  I  should  feel  1  And  will  not  my  dear 
friend  join  me  in  this,  that  He  whose  word  maketh  whole, 
hath  a  right  to  ail  the  revived  powers  we  now  possess ! 
We  are  similarly  circumstanced,  and  shall  we  not  be 
similarly  excited  ?  '  While  I  live,  I  will  praise  the  Lord  ! 
I  will  praise  Him  as  long  as  I  have  any  being.'  And  will 
not  dear  Dr.  B.  take  up  the  same  resolution  ?  Oh,  help  me 
to  praise  the  Lord  !  I  am  lost — lost — lost  in  goodness  ;  I 
am  out  of  depth  !  It  is  past  finding  out; 

"  Will  not  my  dear  friend  join  me  in  this  entire  consecra- 
tion of  my  renewed  existence  ? — Come  now,  say  the  words 
— I  feel  them ;  and  may  our  common  Lord  accept  the 
sacrifice  we  now  make : 

'  If  so  poor  a  worm  as  I 
May  to  thy  great  glory  live, 
All  my  actions  sanctify, 
All  my  words  and  thoughts  receive ; 
Claim  me  for  thy  service  ! — claim 
All  I  have — and  all  I  am ! — 
Now,  my  God,  thine  own  I  am ! 
Now  I  give  thee  back  thine  own  ! 
Freedom,  friends,  and  health,  and  fame,  % 

Consecrate  to  Thee  alone  ! 
Thine  I  live ! — thrice  happy  I ! — 
Happier  stiD,  if  thine  I  die ! — ' 
T 


218  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

"  Now  are  we  sanctified — set  apart  to  God  ! — Oh,  for  a 
greater  measure  of  the  influence  of  the  sanctifying  blood ! 
It  is  yours — it  is  all  yours, — and  it  is  all  mine  !  May  we 
ever  wash  and  be  kept  clean  till  the  day  of  eternal 
redemption. 

"  My  health  is  recovering,  but  at  present,  it  is  a  pain  to 
me  to  write,  having  at  this  moment  a  tartar  plaster  on  my 
breast,  to  create  an  artificial  sore; 'this  must  excuse  the 
scrawl  I  send  you,  which  I  query  if  you  will  be  able  to 
read.  Remember  me  very  affectionately  to  Mrs.  Baker  ; 
I  have  for  some  days  offered  up  this  petition  for  her  : — :  O 
my  Lord !  be  thou  the  husband  of  this  widow !  marry 
her  to  thyself !'  The  former  clause  may  now  want  a  little 
alteration  ;  but  I  trust  she  would  make  none  in  the  latter. 
Oh,  that  she  may  ever  choose  the  Lord  as  her  spiritual 
head,  maintain  her  garments  pure,  that  she  may  be  worthy 
of  a  seat  at  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  I  trust 
that  Mrs.  Dickins  has  had  frequent  opportunities  of  proving 
during  your  late  illness,  the  faithfulness  of  that  promise, 
1  as  thy  day  is,  so  shall  thy  strength  be.' — Tell  her,  I  often 
connect  her  with  myself  in  these  words,  which  raise  my 
heart  on  many  occasions — 

'  Our  sufferings  here  will  soon  be  past, 
And  you,  and  I,  ascend  at  last, 
Triumphant  with  our  Head  !' 

"  Present  my  kind  regard  to  Eloisa,  and  my  love  to  all 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  219 

the  little  ones ;  Oh,  that  the  lover  of  little  children,  may 
gather  all  your  little  ones  as  a  hen  gathers  her  chickens 
under  her  wings  !  Remember  me  to  Mr.  William  Wilkins, 
and  to  any  who  inquire  about  me.  Farewell — farewell — 
my  pain  tells  me  I  must  conclude — To  God  I  commend 
you  all. 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

Several  letters,  written  daring  his  absence  from  home, 
to  various  members  of  his  family,  might  with  propriety  be 
quoted  here,  did  not  the  fear  of  prolixity  forbid  it.  While 
at  Burlington,  it  was  the  concurrent  sentiment  of  his  phy- 
sicians, that  the  restoration  of  his  health  would  be  most 
materially  promoted  by  a  voyage  to  some  of  the  West 
India  Islands.  He  therefore  wrote  to  the  Conference,  then 
assembled  at  Marietta,  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  for  permission 
to  make  the  visit,  and  likewise  for  official  testimonials. 
From  the  seat  of  this  Conference,  he  received,  under  date 
of  September  10th,  1822,  an  episcopal  permissive  letter,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy : — 

"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  Your  kind  favour  of  the  28th  ultimo,  was  duly 
received  yesterday,  and  its  contents  marked  with  the  atten- 
tion their  importance  demands. » 

"  I  rejoice  greatly  to  hear  of  your  returning  health,  and 
hope  that  it  may  be  fully  confirmed.  It  certainly  is  a  duty 
we  owp.  to  our  friends,  the  church  of  God,  and  to  ourselves, 


220  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

to  use  every  means  within  our  power  to  preserve,  restore 
and  perpetuate  our  health.  The  course  recommended  by 
your  friendly  physicians  is  probably  the  best  calculated  to 
obtain  the  desirable  object  of  your  pursuit. 

"  Having  consulted  Bishop  George  on  the  subject,  we 
both  approve  of  the  plan  recommended  by  your  friendly 
physicians,  and  hereby  give  you  full  liberty  to  visit  the 
West  India  Islands,  for  the  ^  benefit  of  your  health,  and 
strengthening  of  your  constitution.  As  soon  as  your  con- 
veniency  may  point  out  the  way,  and  prudence  justify  your 
return,  we  shall  be  happy  to  see  you,  at  any  of  the 
Southern  Conferences,  or  elsewhere,  as  a  kind  providence 
may  open  your  way  to  return  to  us  again. 

"  The  business  of  this  Conference  has  progressed  in 
great  peace  and  harmony  ; — this  is  a  large  conference,  sta- 
tioning this  year,  one  hundred  and  five  preachers ;  and  in 
addition  to  its  ordinary  business,  it  superintends  the  mission 
to  the  Wyandott  Indians ;  that  mission  is  both  important 
and  prosperous.  Three  of  the  chiefs  attended  the  Confe- 
rence :  they  had  an  interview  with  us  in  the  Conference, 
through  the  medium  of  an  interpreter ;  and  on  the  sabbath, 
one  of  them  addressed  the  congregation,  by  way  of  exhor- 
tation. He  was  very  impressive  and  affecting,  and  spoke 
much  to  the  purpose.  He  gave  great  satisfaction  to  the 
hearers,  and  there  were  many  tears  shed.  It  was  a 
pleasing  scene  to  behold  there  our  red  brethren  of  the 
forest  unite  with  us  in  religious  and  devotional  exercises. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  221 

"  The  prospects  of  the  missions  are  pleasing,  and  we 
hope  they  will  increase  in  number  and  extent.  Subjoined, 
is  your  recommendation.  And  may  the  blessing  of  the 
God  of  land  and  sea  be  your  support  in  sickness  and 
health,  in  time  and  eternity.  Adieu,  perhaps  forever  as  to 
time ! 

"  I  am  your  friend  and  brother,  in  Christ, 
(Signed)  "W.  M'KENDREE. 

"  Marietta,  Ohio,  September  10,  1822." 

With  the  foregoing  letter  was  transmitted  the  subjoined 
certificate : — 

"  The  Rev.  John  Summerfield,  the  bearer  hereof,  is  a 
minister  of  reputable  standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  is  travelling, 
by  the  advice  of  physicians,  for  the  benefit  of  his  health, 
and  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  particular  attention  of 
all  our  worthy  brethren  and  friends,  with  whom  providence 
may  place  him. 

(Signed)  "  W.  M'KENDREE. 

"Marietta,  Ohio,  September  10,  1822." 

His  visit  to  New- Jersey  brought  him  into  contact  with 
several  gentlemen  connected  with  Princeton  College ;  and 
the  senatus  academicus  of  this  establishment  resolved  to 
shew  their  sense  of  the  piety  and  talents  of  Mr.  Summer- 
field,  by  creating  him  a  Master  of  Arts.  The  following  is 
the  Diploma: 

t  2  4 


222  memoirs  or  the 

Prases  et  Curatores   Collegii  Neo  Cesariensis. 
Omnibus  et  singulis  hoc  scriptum  lecturisy 
Salutem  in  Domino  sempiternam. 

Cum  gradus  academici  eum  in  finem  instituti  fuerunt,  ut 
viri  ingenio  et  doctrina  praediti  titulis  praeter  caeteros  insig- 
nirentur,  eo  ut  ipsis  prosit,  et  inter  homines  scientiae  et  vir- 
tutissstudium  augeatur,cumque  nobis  exploratissimum  sit 
Johannem  Summerfield,  virum  ingenuum,  moribus  incul- 
patunij  de  Uteris  humanioribus  variisque  studiis  honestis 
optime  meritum  esse. 

Nos  igitur,  Praeses  et  Curatores  antedicti,  praefatum 
Johannem  Summerfield  magistrum  in  artibus  renunciavimus 
et  constituimus,  eumque,  virtute  praesentis  diplomatis,  sin- 
gulis juribus,  privilegiis  et  honoribus  ad  istum  gradum  qua- 
qua  pertinentibus  frui  et  gaudere  jussimus. 

In  cujus  rei  testimonium  nostra  nomina  subscripsimus, 
et  sigillum  collegii  nostri  huic  membranae  apponi  fecimus. 

Isaac  H.  Williamson,  Prases. 

Andrew  Kirkpatrick, 

R.  Stockton, 

Carolus  Ewing, 

Samuel  L.  Southard, 

Samuel  Miller, 
Datum  Aulas  Nassovicse,  GEORGE  S.  WoODHULL, 

Octavo .Kalendas  Octobris,         JoANNES  VaNCLEVE, 
Anno  Domini  MDCCCXXII.      RoBERT  LENOX, 

Curatores. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  223 

In  the  month  of  October,  Mr.  Summerfield  once  more 
embraced  his  family  and  friends  in  New- York.  From 
that  city  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to  his  youngest 
sister,  then  on  a  visit  at  Rhinebeck.  The  spirit  of  frater- 
nal affection  which  breathes  through  every  line,  must 
render  any  apology  for  its  introduction  unnecessary. 

"  New- York,  October  24th,  1822. 
"  My  dear  Anne, 

"  If  you  are  as  anxious  to  receive  a  letter  from  us  as  we 
are  to  see  you  again,  you  must  be  very  impatient  indeed ; — 
I  have  undertaken  to  write  to  you  myself,  and  I  really 
am  vain  enough  to  think  you  would  rather  receive  a  letter 
from  me  than  any  of  the  family  beside. 

"  I  had  anticipated  for  a  long  time  the  pleasure  of  paying 
a  visit  to  Rhinebeck,  but  one  thing  after  another  occurred 
to  prevent  me,  so  that  I  now  despair  of  accomplishing 
my  wishes  in  this  respect ; — however,  as  I  do  not  expect 
to  sail  for  the  West  Indies  before  the  middle  of  next  month, 
I  hope  to  see  you  here,  as  I  suppose  you  will  be  frozen 
out  of  Rhinebeck  before  that  time. 

"  I  trust  that  my  dear  Anne  conducts  herself  in  all 
respects  worthy  of  her  brother,  and  increases  daily  in 
favour  with  God  and  man ; — you  know  I  often  talk  of 
you  as  a  child  of  my  own  rearing ;  therefore,  never  bring 
my  glory  to  shame.  Fear  God  and  keep  his  command- 
ments ;  do  not  neglect  any  seasons  of  private  prayer  which 


224  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

present  themselves,  but  call  upon  the  Lord  every  day  while 
you  have  any  being. 


1 A  flower,  when  offered  in  the  bud, 
i 

Is  no  mean  sacrifice.' 


"  1  have  full  confidence  in  my  dear  Anne,  that  she  will 
do  even  more  than  I  say ;  never  let  a  day  pass  without 
reading  a  portion  of  God's  word  ;  so  you  shall  be  made 
wise  unto  salvation,  and  dwell  witH*me,  and  your  elder 
brother — the  Lord  Jesus,  for  ever  and  ever. 

"  All  that  I  have  said  to  you,  applies  to  my  dear  Catha- 
rine also ;  give  her  my  best  love,  and  tell  her  she  must 
be  in  this  respect  of  one  heart  and  one  mind  with  you, 
that  so  your  intimacy  may  be  continued  in  heaven,  after 
each  of  you  have  bid  adieu  to  every  earthly  scene.  Oh, 
my  dear  Anne,  think  often  on  these  things  ;  converse 
frequently  with  death  and  the  grave ;  and  pray  to  Him 
who  tasted  death  for  you,  to 

'  Teach  you  to  live,  that  you  may  dread 
The  grave  as  little  as  your  bed.' 

"  I  have  had  a  peep  into  the  grave  lately ;  and  assure 
you,  it  is  not  so  dark  as  fallen  nature  views  it  with  the 
eve  of  sense. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  Mrs.  Suckley,  Mary, 


** 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  225 

and  Sarah ;  also,  to  Mr.,  Mrs.  and  Miss  Garretson,  and 
thank  them  very  cordially  for  their  kind  wishes  that  I 
should  come  to  Rhinebeck ;  I  fear  they  would  have  spoiled 
me  with  extravagant  kindness, — if  indeed  that  is  not 
already  done. 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  Anne, — be  good,  and  you  will  be 
happv, 

u  Your  loving  and  affectionate 

"  JOHN." 


226  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTION  XIII. 

Sails  for  France — interesting  letters  from- Marseilles, 

The  state  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  health,  requiring  that 
he  should  try  the  effects  of  a  change  of  climate,  it  was 
settled,  as  we  have  already  seen,  that  he  should  for  a  while 
leave  North  America  and  visit  the  West  India  Islands. 
This  projected  trip,  however,  for  which  arrangements  had 
been  made,  was  ultimately  abandoned  hi  favour  of  a  voy- 
age to  Europe,  one  great  object  of  which,  is  clearly  exhi- 
bited in  the  following  extract  of  a  letter,  written  three 
days  before  he  sailed,  to  his  "  ever  valued  friend,"  Doctor 
Baker : — 

"  While  you  are  reading  this,  I  am  sailing  on  the  deep ; 
lift  up  your  heart,  and  say,  l  the  Lord  be  with  thy  spirit !: 
— the  vessel  is  the  fine  new  ship  Six  Brothers  ;  her  desti- 
nation is  Marseilles,  where  we  hope  to  arrive  in  forty-five 
days.  Our  captain  is  every  thing  I  could  wish,  and  we 
have  one  passenger,  who  will  be  one  heart  and  soul  with 
me.  I  have  been  appointed  a  delegate  from  the  American 
Bible  Society  to  the  Protestant  Bible  Society  of  France, 
whose  Anniversary  I  shall  have  to  attend  in  April  next : 


rev.  john  summerfieId.  227 

with  my  credentials,  I  carry  letters  of  the  most  flattering 
kind  to  the  Marquis  de  Jarcourt,  peer  of  France,  Mr.  Gal- 
latin, Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  American  consuls,  &c.  and  a 
fry  of  letters  of  introduction  to  ministers,  merchants,  and 
private  gentlemen  ; — my  ennui,  therefore,  in  a  strange 
country,  will  be  greatly  relieved ;  but  the  best  of  all  is, 
'  God  is  with  me' — His  favour  is  better  than  life  itself  ! 
Earthly  pageantry  fades  away,  when  brought  into  compe- 
tition with  Him.  Remember  me  at  a  throne  of  grace, 
and  expect  to  meet  me  there.  It  may  seem  a  little  strange, 
that  having  sent  two  prints  of  my  portrait  to  your  city, 
one  to  Mr.  Soule,  and  one  to  Mr.  Harden,  I  have  not  sent 
a  third  to  my  good  friend  in  Light-street :  the  reason  is,  I 
have  reserved  the  '  better  thing'  for  you ;  should  I  be 
spared,  and  ever  remove  to  Baltimore,  I  shall  personally 
present  you  with  the  original  painting,  from  which  the 
print  has  been  taken.  And  now,  my  dear  Doctor,  I  com- 
mend you  and  your's  to  Him  who  is  able  to  keep  you.  My 
time  is  short ;  you  shall  hear  from  me  when  abroad. 
"  Farewell ;  ever  your's, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1822,  he  took  his  departure 
from  New- York,  in  the  ship  Six  Brothers,  Captain  Mason, 
bound  to  Marseilles.  It  is  due  to  Captain  Williams,  one 
of  the  owners  of  the  vessel,  to  state,  that  he  generously 
gave  Mr.  SummerfieId  a  free  passage  to  the  port  of  their 
destination ;  this  kindness,  added  to  the  liberality  of  his 
friends,  enabled  the  beloved  invalid  to  remain  abroad  a 


228  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

longer  time,  and  with  greater  comfort,  than  otherwise  he 
might  have  done. 

A  selection  from  a  highly  interesting  series  of  letters  may 
appropriately  be  introduced  in  this  place,  exhibiting  as  they 
do,  in  the  most  striking  manner,  the  movements,  engage- 
ments, and  feelings  of  the  writer. 

[To  Mr.  Blackstock.] 

Marseilles,  28th  January,  1.823. 
Mr  dear  James — 

"I  know  not  whether  you  will  have  heard  of  our  safe 
arrival  before  this  letter  reaches  you,  but  at  all  events,  /  do 
know  that  you  will  be  very  anxious  to  hear  ;  and  I  antici- 
pate the  pleasure  which  these  lines  will  produce,  while  you 
read  them,  one  after  the  other,  father,  brothers,  and  sisters — 
and  T  know  not  who  besides.  Yesterday,  we  dropped  our 
anchor  in  the  port  of  Marseilles,  safe  and  sound. — Bless  the 
Lord  of  winds  and  seas  !  Oh  praise  the  Lord  with  me, 
and  let  us  exalt  his  holy  name  together. 

"  Our  passage  has  excited  much  wonder  here — for  truly 
it  was  an  uncommon  one.  On  the  third  Sunday  after  our 
departure  we  sailed  past  the  Azores,  the  first  European 
land  ;  and  so  regular  were  we  in  all  our  movements,  that 
we  reckoned  to  a  day  our  time,  and  it  was  done  unto  us 
'  even  as  we  would,' 

"  We  appointed  m  our  arrangements,  that  on  the  fol- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  229 

lowing  Sabbath  we  should  pass  the  straits  of  Gibraltar, 
and  it  wens  even  so  ; — on  the  evening  of  that  day  we  were 
clear  entered  the  Mediterranean.  We  again  continued 
our  confidence  in  the  goodness  of  Him  who  '  holds  the 
winds  in  his  fist,'  and  reckoned  our  arrival  at  Marseilles  on 
the  following  Sabbath ; — it  was  even  so,  that  on  the  night 
of  that  day  we  were  riding  in  the  bay,  and  the  next  day 
arrived  a  pilot  on  board,  and  so  made  the  harbour  on  the 
thirty-second  day — at  least  a  fortnight  before  our  most 
sanguine  expectations. 

"  As  this  is  merely  a  letter  of  advice  of  our  arrival,  I  for 
bear  to  enlarge  on  any  other  subject.  By  the  first  vessel 
that  leaves  this  place  for  the  United  States,  I  intend  sending 
a  letter  to  each  of  you,  making  half  a  dozen,  and  also  to 
some  other  of  my  New- York  friends.  This  letter  I 
send  by  the  way  of  Liverpool,  and  this  must  be  a 
sufficient  apology  for  not  writing  to  any  other  by  this 
conveyance."  ***** 

[To  Mr.  Francis  Hall.] 

Marseilles,  6th  February,  1823. 
My  very  dear  Friend — 

"  Before  this  shall  reach  you,  you  will  have  been  ap- 
prized through  Mr.  Blackstock  of  the  good  speed  we  made 
upon  our  voyage.  I  think  I  never  experienced  more  settled 
peace  of  mind  than  during  that  time,  and  it  was  as  perma- 
nent as  it  was  perfect ;  like  that  steady  sunshine  of  which 
our  Wesley  sings,  when 
u 


230  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

'Not  a  cloud  doth  arise  to  darken  the  skies, 
Or  hide  for  a  moment  my  Lord  from  my  eyes.' 

I  was  a  wonder  unto  myself — the  word  of  the  Lord  seemed 
sealed  upon  my  heart,  '  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect 
peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  upon  thee,  because  he  trusteth 
in  thy  word  !'  I  had  not  a  moment's  uneasiness  concerning 
the  happy  termination  of  our  voyage ;  I  felt  that  Jesus  was 
with  me  in  my  little  state  room, l  in  the  hinder  part  of  the 
ship,'  and  partially  confined  to  it,  as  I  was,  by  reason  of  the 
wet  weather,  I  found  by  experience  that 

'  Prisons  can  palaces  prove, 
If  Jesus  but  deigns  to  be  there.' 

"  Whenever  I  threw  the  reins  upon  the  neck  of  my 
imagination,  which  I  frequently  did  by  way  of  relaxation 
from  severer  studies,  I  found  my  thoughts  involuntarily  to 
lead  me  back  to  New- York,  instead  of  presenting  me  with 
any  airy  speculations  of  the  pleasure  I  should  meet  with 
in  my  native  land,  while  tramping  up  and  down  again  the 
scenes  of  my  boyish,  but  my  happy  days ; — truly,  if  the 
wind  had  veered  round,  whenever  my  fancy  took  this  turn, 
and  our  vessel  had  sped  its  course  in  the  same  direction, 
you  would  never  have  heard  from  me  at  '  Marseilles?  I 
found,  that  though  America  was  but  lately  to  me  a  land  of 
strangers,  my  heart — my  affections — all  said  it  was  now 
my  '-HomeP  and  thus,  in  a  subordinate  sense,  where  my 
treasure  was  there  was  my  heart  also. — And  indeed,  when 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  231 

I  consider  the  friends  that  the  '  Strangers'  God'  had  raised 
me  up,  and  then  dwelt  upon  the  ten  thousand  acts  of  kind- 
ness which  those  friends  have  showed  me  for  '  His  sake,'  I 
could  only  wonder,  love,  and  praise. 

"  Among  this  crowd,  my  dear  brother  Hall  holds  no 
second  place,  and  it  is  only  in  acknowledgment  of  a  vast 
debt  of  gratitude,  which  I  can  but  confess — but  never  pay — 
that  I  write  to  him  by  the  first  conveyance  this  country 
has  presented  me  with,  in  a  vessel  bound  to  Boston.  I 
had  hoped  for  an  interview  on  Christmas  morning,  but  our 
ship  hauled  away  too  early  to  permit  it ;  I  had  not  taken 
my  leave  in  Walker-street  the  evening,  previous — your 
kindness  was  at  that  time  too  oppressive  to  admit  of  it ; — 
but  perhaps  it  was  well — for  I  know  not  how  long  the 
1  farewell !'  might  have  hung  upon  my  tongue,  and  lin- 
gered on  my  lips  ;  but  I  thought  of  you  that  morning, 
though  I  saw  you  not,  and  sent  more  than  one  petition  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace,  that  a  '  prophet's  reward'  might  be 
yours,  multiplied  as  much  beyond  the  recompense  promised 
to  a  cup  of  cold  water,  as  your  substantial  gift  exceeded 
that  in  value.  May  the  hearer  of  prayer  realize  to  you  my 
heart's  desire,  and  fill  you  with  all  the  fulness  of  his  holy 
love." ■ 

[To  his  Father.] 

'•  Marseilles,  7th  February,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Father— 

« My  health  is  somewhat  better  than  when  ] 


232  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

left  you ;  indeed,  considering  the  dampness  of  a  sea  atmos- 
phere, rendered  still  more  so  by  the  rain  which  fell  every 
day,  more  or  less,  until  we  entered  the  straits  of  Gibraltar, 
it  is  remarkably  so.  I  am  now  reaping  the  advantage  of 
the  voyage,  more  than  I  was  able  to  do  at  sea  ;  my  appe- 
tite is  uncommonly  good,  but  I  only  gratify  it  in  the 
plainest  food.  The  soups  of  France  are  just  what  answer 
me ;  in  most  of  them,  no  animal  food  whatever  enters  into 
their  composition — vermicelli,  and  other  Italian  pastes, 
twisted  in  the  shape  of  little  worms,  or  rounded  like  a  pea 
or  bean,  form  the  substantial  part ;  the  liquid  appears  to  be 
chiefly  sweet  oil,  which  is  here  very  fine,  and  for  which  I 
have  acquired  a  high  relish.  My  cough  is  much  softer 
than  it  was,  and  I  expectorate  with  great  freedom  ;  this,  I 
attribute  in  some  measure  to  the  drying  up  of  the  issue  on 
my  breast — the  other,  on  my  arm,  is  also  healing  ;  so  that 
I  will  try  the  effects  of  this  measure.  I  found  they  had 
always  the  effect  of  making  the  cough  hard  and  spasmodi- 
cal, carrying  off  the  mucus  which  was  secreted  within, 
without  removing  the  radical  disease. 

"  I  take  little  or  no  medicine,  endeavouring  to  produce  a 
change  by  diet  and  exercise.  With  regard  to  the  latter,  I 
live  methodically,  and  arrange  to  walk  at  least  eight  miles 
every  day,  dividing  it  into  four  different  times,  to  render  it 
more  agreeable.  In  short,  I  have  solemnly  joined  hands 
with  God,  to  preserve  my  life,  and  restore  my  poor  and 
feeble  constitution  ;  I  have  devoted  myself  to  Him  afresh, 
{  and  promised  in  a  sacred  hour,  for  God  to  live  and  die.' 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  233 

I  can  indeed  say — for  I  really  feel  it  to  be  true — this  world 
has  no  attractions  for  me, 

*  There's  nothing  here  deserves  my  joys, 
There's  nothing  like  my  God.' 

I  have  therefore  no  desire  to  live  but  for  Him  ;  and  I  can- 
not, my  dear  father,  disguise  the  feelings  of  my  heart,  foi 
I  confess  to  you,  I  am  rather  unwilling  to  go  away  so  soon 
after  entering  the  lists  against  'the  god  of  this  world,' 
although  I  have  a  sweet  foretaste  that  when  I  shall  be  ab- 
sent from  the  body,  I  shall  be  present  with  the  Lord ;  yet 
I  feel  as  if  I  could  endure  this  privation  from  His  presence 
for  some  time  longer,  that  I  may  come  down  like  a  shock 
of  corn  full  ripe  in  its  season,  '  filled  with  the  fruits  of 
righteousness,  which  are  by  Christ  Jesus,  unto  the  glory 
and  praise  of  God  the  Father.'  When  I  reflect  on  the 
word  in  which  I  trust,  '  that  they  who  turn  many  to 
righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars,'  &c.  I  feel  fired  with 
a  holy  ambition,  which  consumes  me  with  its  fervour.  I 
hunger  and  thirst  after  this,  and  I  feel  a  cleaving  to  earth 
that  I  may  finish  the  work  which  I  believe  is  given  me  to 
do.  If  I  could  only  live  to  see  '  many  sons  bringing  home 
to  glory,'  whom  I  might  present  to  the  Captain  of  our  sal- 
vation, I  could  then  say,  '  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  de- 
part in  peace,  according  to  thy  word,  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen  thy  great  salvation  !'  You  know,  my  dear  father, 
and  I  know,  and  God  knows  also — and  I  blush  even  now 
while  I  write  it — that  much  of  my  life  has  run  to  waste ; 
u  2 


234  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

in  the  former  part  of  it  /  lived  to  myself,  and  not  to  Him  who 
loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me  !  I  will  not — I  cannot 
forgive  myself — no,  never — But  I  want  to  make  some 
better  return  to  my  dying,  risen  Saviour — I  wish  to  beai 
the  burden,  and  heat,  and  toil  of  a  long — laborious — well 
spent  dew ;  I  wish  to  serve  my  generation  by  the  will  of 
God,  and  then  to  fall  asleep  !  Oh,  that  God  would  grant 
me  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer — But  if  not — if  my 
spared  life  would  not  conduce  to  His  glory — I  could 
gladly  lay  me  down  and  die  !  '  Lord  God  !  thou  seest  the 
end  from  the  beginning  ! — do  with  me  as  seemeth  good  in 
thy  sight.' " 

[to  his  second  sister. 

"Marseilles,  February  10f/j,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Amelia, 

"  In  writing  a  letter  to  you,  in  common  with  the  othe^ 
members  of  the  family,  I  not  only  do  myself  a  real  plea- 
sure, but  I  discharge,  in  some  measure,  at  least  by 
acknowledgement — a  debt  of  gratitude  I  owe  you,  and 
which  has  been  long  accumulating,  by  your  thousand  name- 
less iittentions  to  my  thousand  nameless  wants  and  anxie- 
ties ;  the  remembrance  of  them  is  much  more  lively  at 
this  distance  of  time  and  place,  than  when  I  received  them 
nearer,  resembling  some  of  those  finer  scenes  of  nature, 
which  we  only  accurately  estimate  when  viewed  in  per- 
spective, and  at  a  distance.  Nor  are  there  wanting  dark 
spots  in  abundance  on  the  scene,  to  serve  as  shadows  in 
setting  off  the  lustre  of  the  foreground  ;   I  mean  in  the 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  235 

indifference  with  which  I  too  frequently  received  many  of 
those  attentions,  not  considering  that  they  derived  their 
value  from  the  motive  which  actuated  them,  rather  than 
from  their  intrinsic  worth.  However,  '  forgetting  that 
which  is  behind,  and  reaching  forth  to  those  things  which 
are  before,'  I  trust  yet  to  have  years  of  opportunity,  to 
assure  you  of  my  sincere  esteem  and  affection,  during 
which  time,  and  till  death  shall  make  the  separation  finai 
as  to  this  world,  I  desire, — and  command  you  always  to 
regard  me  not  merely  as  a  brother,  but  as  a  friend ;  '  a 
friend'  sometimes  '  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother ;' — at 
least  there  is  such  a  friend,  and  I  have  made  him  mine ; 
I  would  fain  recommend  him  to  you ;  '  if  you  seek  him 
he  will  be  found  of  you' — and  with  special  reference  to 
your  time  of  life,  He  says,  '  I  love  them  that  love  me,  and 
they  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me.' 

"  After  writing  the  preceding  page,  and  reading  it  over, 
I  find  I  have  been  almost  involuntarily  led  to  a  subject 
which  lies  near  my  heart,  with  respect  to  you  and  Anne, 
I  have  long  felt  it  a  duty  I  owed  to  you,  to  discourse  seri- 
ously upon  it, — but  somehow  or  other,  there  is  such  a 
backwardness  to  say  that  to  one's  relations,  which  can  be 
easily  discoursed  upon  with  mere  acquaintances,  that  I 
have  put  it  off  again  and  again,  frequently  to  my  great 
condemnation.  At  your  age,  my  dear  Amelia,  you  must 
be  fully  sensible  that  this  is  the  time  to  form  your  character 
in  the  world ; — I  say  in  the  world, — for  it  is  not  enough 
that  your  family   are  acquainted  with  your   regard   for 


i 


236  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

religious  men  and  things  ;  there  must  be  a  profession 
made  of  this  your  attachment,  and  a  union  formed  with 
some  people  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity. 

"  Perhaps  you  would  wish  my  advice  on  this  subject,  as 
to  what  church  you  ought  to  make  choice  of  ; — if  left  to 
me,  I  would  unhesitatingly  say,  l  follow  my  example 
herein,'  for  although  I  see  many  things  among  the  Metho- 
dists which  I  could  wish  to  be  otherwise, — yet  I  sincerely 
believe,  take  them  as  a  body,  they  are  the  excellent  of  the 
earth,  and  have  most  of  the  life  of  God  among  them. 

"  Do,  my  dear  Amelia,  consider  this  matter  with  serious- 
ness and  prayer  to  God  for  wisdom  to  direct  you,  and  let 
me  hear  from  you  in  answer  to  this,  with  your  mind  in 
full.  Whatever  objections  you  might  find  to  talk  to  me 
abcut  these  things,  you  can  have  none  to  write  to  me 
about  them.  I  wish  you  also  to  lay  the  matter  before 
Anne  ;  she  is  old  enough  to  serve  the  Lord,  and  T  do 
trust,  that  so  far  from  her  being  a  hinderance,  she  will  be  a 
help  to  you. 

"  May  the  Lord  enable  you  to  lay  it  to  heart !  May  he 
bless  you,  and  keep  you  in  his  favour,  fear,  and  love,  all 
the  days  of  your  life,  and  may  I  meet  you  and  embrace 
you  among  those  who  will  stand  with  the  Lamb  upon 
Mount  Zion,  after  the  heavens  and  the  earth  are  fled 
away. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  237 

"  Farewell,  ray  dear  love,  from  the  warm  heart  of  your 
affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"  JOHN." 

[to  his  youngest  sister.] 

"Marseilles,  February  12th,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Anne, 

"  As  I  promised  in  my  letter  to  Mr.  B to  write 

to  each  of  you,  your  turn  now  comes  on  ;  and  yet  what 
have  I  to  say  more  concerning  my  voyage  than  I  have 
already  said  to  the  rest  of  the  family?  You  will  only 
expect  the  gleanings  ;  and  as  you  are  the  least,  you  will  be 
satisfied  with  little  things. — On  the  ninth  day  after  we 
sailed,  we  picked  up  at  sea  a  little  passenger,  that  had 
lost  its  way,  and  would  certainly  have  been  drowned  in  a 
few  minutes,  if  no  help  had  arrived :  it  was  a  snipe,  a 
land  bird  that  inhabits  the  swampy  ground.  We  were 
then  about  five  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  the  nearest 
land,  the  coast  of  Newfoundland,  and  so  exhausted  was 
the  little  creature,  that  it  perched  upon  our  rigging,  and 
suffered  itself  to  be  caught  without  resistance.  The  flight 
of  birds  is  very  rapid,  and  they  can  bear  up  on  the  wing 
much  longer  than  you  may  imagine.  '  The  surprise,  there- 
fore, which  this  little  straggler  may  occasion  you,  will  be 
much  reduced,  when  I  inform  you,  that  birds  called  pigeon- 
carriers,  are  employed  by  the  Emperor  of  Turkey  to  con- 
vey intelligence  to  him  from  the  most  distant  parts  of  his 
empire,  and  they  ordinarily  perform  a  journey  in  thirty- 
six  hours,   which   it   would  require   eight  days  of  cou- 


238  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

rier-despatches  to  accomplish.  The  plan  is  this : — A  quan- 
tity of  these  birds  is  kept  in  the  seraglio  of  Constantinople, 
and  from  this  aviary,  a  basket-full  is  occasionally  sent  to 
distant  governors,  according  as  they  are  wanted.  These 
governors,  on  any  urgent  occasion,  affix  a  letter  of  des- 
patches to  the  legs  or  neck,  or  under  the  wings,  of  one  of 
them,  and  let  it  fly  ;  thus  released,  it  ascends  the  air  to  a 
great  height,  and  by  its  powers  of  vision,  which  are  incon- 
ceivably acute,  it  then  directs  its  way  to  the  aviary  at  Con- 
stantinople, nor  ever  misses  its  destination.  All  this  is 
performed  without  once  alighting  to  rest  itself.  To  return 
to  our  little  companion :  it  appeared  to  have  been  blown 
off  shore  the  preceding  evening,  in  a  squall  of  wind,  and 
missed  its  way  in  the  darkness  of  the  night.  We  all  agreed 
to  give  the  little  fellow  his  passage  free,  and  find  him  in 
sea  stores  likewise,  intending  to  release  him  at  the  first  land 
we  should  reach.  For  this  purpose  we  put  him  in  a  large 
wooden  cage,  and  gave  him  his  supper ;  but  alas  !  alas  !  in 
the  course  of  the  night  Miss  Pussy  found  her  way  to  his 
apartment,  and  jealous  of  a  rival,  she  broke  all  the  laws  of 
hospitality,  and  tore  him  in  pieces  !  Thus,  he  only  escaped 
a  watery  grave,  to  find  one  in  the  stomach  of  the  cat. 

"  Besides  the  above  incident,  we  had  two  other  visiters 
during  our  passage,  but  neither  of  them  remained  long  with 
us :  two  flying  fishes  alighted  on  our  deck — and  lo  !  our 
black  cook,  imitating  the  bad  example  of  the  cat,  seized 
them,  and  put  them  in  the  frying  pan.  I  was  too  sorry 
for  their  fate  to  partake  of  them,  when  served  up  at  table, 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  239 

and  could  not  help  reflecting,  that  just  such  is  man !  He 
lives  upon  his  fellow  man,  and  lives  upon  the  lives  even  of 
his  species ;  and  lie  is  in  general  accounted  the  cleverest 
fellow  who  rises  to  most  eminence  upon  the  most  numerous 
overthrows. 

"  I  know  not  that  any  thing  of  importance  occurred  ex- 
cept the  above.  I  was  a  little  surprised  that  we  saw  no 
other  fish  on  the  whole  voyage  except  these  unfortunate 
ones — not  even  a  whale,  a  porpoise,  or  a  dolphin  ;  and  ex- 
cept that  now  and  then  the  cat  would  march  proudly  into 
our  cabin  with  a  poor  mouse  in  her  mouth,  we  had  the 
dull  uniformity  of  getting  up  in  the  morning,  eating  three 
times  in  the  day,  walking  the  deck  a  little — interspersed 
with  intervals  of  reading,  and  let  me  not  be  ashamed  to 
add,  intervals  of  private  prayer  also — and  then  going  to 
bed  at  night. 

"  At  the  time  of  our  departure,  we  had  on  board  a  couple 
of  pigs,  which  shared  a  better  fate  than  those  on  board  the 
General  Lingan ;  they  lived  and  grew  large,  and  are  still 
alive  and  well ;  besides  them,  a  sheep,  but  the  cook's  knife 
entered  his  throat  in  the  course  of  the  voyage— and  he  is 
no  more  ; — in  addition  to  these,  a  very  handsome  goat 
completed  our  stock  of  four-footed  animals ;  she  supplied 
us  with  milk  all  the  passage,  and  was  very  playful,  and 
indeed  very  mischievous  also  :  she  would  pay  me  a  visit  in 
my  state  room,  at  midnight,  and  eat  the  herbs  and  garlic 
which  were  in  the  box  under  my  birth  ; — but  poor  Nan 


240  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

took  sick  about  three  days  before  we  arrived ;  from  some 
Spanish  whiting  which  she  ate,  and  we  feared  she  would 
have  gone  the  way  of  the  sheep,  only  by  a  natural  process ; 
however,  I  administered  to  her  a  bolus  of  sulphur  and 
butter,  which  had  the  desired  effect,  and  by  the  time  that 
we  arrived  at  Marseilles,  she  was  well  again.  I  received 
the  honourary  title  of  Doctor,  in  recompense  for  this  piece 
of  service,  but  now  that  I  have  left  the  ship,  I  have  lost 
the  title ;  it  seems  this  is  my  sea  title  only  ;  however,  I  am 
not  so  ambitious  to  preserve  it  as  to  take  up  the  seafaring 
life  as  my  profession.  I  would  gladly  let  go  every  title, 
and  remain  on  terra  firma. 

"  I  have  thus  filled  you  a  sheet  of  paper,  or  rather  spoiled 
a  sheet  with  useless  stuff;  but  it  afforded  me  a  little  amuse- 
ment in  writing  it — and  indeed  much  pleasure,  when  I 
fancied  myself  conversing  with  my  dear  Anne. — I  expect 
she  will  write  to  me  in  return ;  you  must  not  say  you 
have  nothing  to  say,  for  you  see  I  have  filled  up  a  letter 
from — nothing,  and  this  will  show  you,  that  the  most 
trifling  subject  may  be  made  to  spread  and  expand  itself 
much  beyond  its  first  appearances. 

"  I  have  written  to  Amelia  on  subjects  more  important 
than  these,  and  I  expect  she  will  show  you  the  letter  ;  I 
conclude,  therefore,  this  medley  of  incongruous   matter, 
with  the  assurance  of  the  sincerest  affection  of, 
"  My  dear  Anne, 

"  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"  JOHN." 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  241 

[To  Mr.  Blackstock.] 

"Marseilles,  February  ISth,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Mr.  B — , 
"  The  subject  of  this  letter  will  agitate  you  in  various 
ways,  for  iUis  of  an  uncommon  kind ;  that  I  may  give 
you  the  more  particulars,  I  have  taken  a  large  sheet  of 
foolscap.  Before  I  begin,  I  must  premise,  that  before  your 
eyes  are  saluted  with  the  intelligence,  or  your  feelings 
affected  by  it,  all  (he  scene  which  follows  will  have  passed 
away.  Bead  it  therefore,  and  converse  about  it  only  c  as 
of  a  tale  that  is  told,  or  a  shadow  that  disappeareth,  or  a 
dream  that  passeth  away  when  one  awaketh.'  I  do  not 
think  I  should  have  touched  upon  it  at  all,  considering 
what  a  sensitive  plant  you  are,  and  how  soon  any  impres- 
sion which  is  made  on  me  reaches  to  yourself, — but  that  I 
have  mentioned  it  in  some  other  of  my  letters  to  friends ; 
and  if  I  left  you  in  the  dark  about  it,  you  would  conceive 
the  most  alarming  apprehensions,  and  raise  a  thousand 
ghosts  to  haunt  your  mind  by  day  and  night. — To  keep 
you  no  longer  in  suspense,  therefore  : 

•  "  As  I  have  already  informed  you,  we  arrived  here  on 
Monday,  27th  of  January.  Having  sailed  from  a  port,  in 
which  the  yellow  fever  prevailed  during  the  previous  sum- 
mer, we  were  not  permitted  to  touch  the  holy  ground  of 
France  that  day ;  on  Tuesday,  the  Board  of  Health  sat 
upon  our  case,  and  mercifully  determined  (you  know  '  the 
tender  mercies  of  the  wicked  are  crueV)  to  quarantine  us  for 
five  and  forty  days  ! — No  French   Consular  certificates 


IV 


• 


242  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

with  which  the  captain  had  provided  himself,  attesting  the 
health  of  his  crew  and  passengers,  and  the  city  of  New- 
York  in  general,  were  of  any  avail ;  it  was  enough  that 
the  fever  had  been  there,  and  that  we  sailed  from  the  in- 
fected city  ; — the  laws  of  the  Medes  and  Persians  were  not 
more  irrevocable  ! 

"  Mr.  Cimningham  and  myself,  the  only  passengers, 
obtained  favour  in  their  sight,  and  concerning  us  it  was 
decreed,  that  if  we  chose  to  confine  ourselves — or  rather 
be  confined, — for  it  was  involuntary  on  our  part. — in  the 
prison  of  the  Lazarretto  for  thirty  days,  we  might  be  then 
at  liberty,  and  permitted  to  walk  upon  this  land  of  freedom. 
We  deliberated  upon  the  matter  for  a  short  time,  and  made 
choice  of  it,  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  time  it  pre- 
sented, when  compared  with  the  former ;  and  the  next 
day,  Wednesday,  the  29th  of  January, — we  were  removed 
under  a  guard,  in  an  open  boat,  and  conducted  hither, 
where  we  still  remain  in  '  durance  vile  V  The  same  day, 
Captain  Mason  had  to  sail  out  of  the  port  to  a  small  barren 
island  at  some  miles  distance,  cut  off  from  all  human  in- 
tercourse, there  to  ride  out  his  quarantine,  exposed  to  every 
wind  that  blows;  he  is  now  moored  with  three  cables 
ahead,  and  two  astern  ! 

"  As  our  little  boat  approached  this  dreary  spot,  I  felt 
myself  inclined  to  '  play  the  woman  ;'  I  could  have  shed 
tears,  while  my  mind  ruminated  in  silence  over  the  pros- 
pect which  lay  before  us.     I  said  to  myself,  l  is  this  the 


♦ 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  243 

reason  why  I  came  to  France  ?  was  it  for  this  I  left  a  com- 
fortable home,  and  crossed  the  mighty  deep,  to  be  incar- 
cerated in  a  French  bastile  ?' — But  I  broke  the  spell,  and 
kept  the  fountain  of  my  eyes  sealed  up ;  I  remembered 
I  was  in  His  hands,  who  had  said  '  all  things  shall  work 
together  for  good,  to  them  that  love  God ;' — and  '  the 
very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered  !' 

"We  were  placed  in  a  small  apartment  five  yards 
square,  with  two  dark  chambers  leading  from  it  for  our 
bed  rooms,  about  three  yards  square  each  ;  the  whole  is 
exactly  on  the  plan  of  your  garret,  and  the  two  rooms 
leading  out  of  it,  only  that  our  chambers  had  no  light  but 
what  they  received  from  leaving  open  the  door.  The 
entire  was  unfurnished, — nothing  but  bare  walls,  cobweb- 
hung,  and  stained  with  the  smoke  from  an  old  fire-place, 
which  our  sitting  room  (your  garret)  alone  contained.  We 
immediately  encouraged  each  other  as  well  as  we  could, 
though  my  companion  was  considerably  chop-fallen  ;  and 
set  about  to  furnish  it  in  the  best  way  in  our  power.  Hav- 
ing a  guard  placed  over  us,  who  watches  us  with  an 
eagle's  eye  both  day  and  night,  and  sleeps  in  the  sitting 
room,  (for  so  I  must  call  it  for  distinction's  sake,)  we  dis- 
patched him  to  a  hotel,  so  called,  (where  all  our  victuals 
are  prepared ;  it  is  within  the  prison  walls  ;)  and  ordered 
furniture :  we  received  a  deal  table,  and  two  old  chairs, 
all  of  which  appeared  to  have  been  used  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  building — 1667 — and  three  or  four  deal  planks 
to  sleep  on,  with  two  iron  bearers  to  carry  them ;  however, 


244  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

as  this  promised  very  hard  fare  for  sleeping  accommodations, 
we  afterwards  procured  for  money  (for  any  thing  can  be 
had  even  here  for  money)  two  sacking  bottoms  and  frames, 
much  like  your  cots  ;  we  had  the  precaution  to  bring  beds 
and  bedding  from  the  ship,  Captain  Mason  having  kindly 
offered  the  privilege,  and  thus  we  escaped  the  company  of 
those  midnight  vermin,  with  which  similar  articles  in  this 
place  abound.  Having  thus  furnished  our  apartments,  (which, 
by  the  bye,  have  cold  brick  floors,  both  sitting  room  and 
bed  chambers.)  we  turned  our  attention  to  the  side-board, 
or  rather  to  our  little  three  shelved  cupboard,  which  stands 
on  the  right  of  the  fire-place,  and  is  the  only  fixture  in  the 
room,  except  two  pieces  of  iron  let  into  the  hearth-stone, 
by  way  of  andirons.  This  we  furnished  with  two  tea 
cups  and  saucers,  two  or  three  white  plates,  a  couple  of 
knives  and  forks  and  spoons,  a  salt  and  a  pepper  cellar, 
and  a  candlestick,  all  of  earthenware,  except  the  knives, 
&c.  We  also  obtained  an  earthen  jug  in  which  we  boil  our 
water  for  tea,  and  a  smaller  one  to  serve  for  a  cream  ewer — 
rather  a  milk  pot — but  which  necessity  obliges  us  to  con- 
vert to  sundry  other  purposes,  such  as  boiling  our  washing 
dishes  water,  serving  as  a  shaving  mug,  &c.  &c. 

"  I  believe  I  have  given  you  a  list  of  our  furniture  in 
all  its  departments  ;  necessity,  however,  the  mother  of  in- 
vention, compelled  us  to  increase  this  inventory  by  several 
little  articles,  which  we  manufactured  at  our  leisure :  such 
as  a  pair  of  snuffers,  by  a  piece  of  wood  prepared  in  the 
form  of  a  clothes  peg, — this  we  use  by  pressing  the  open 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  245 

ends  together  :  a  set  of  fire  irons,  by  two  sticks,  which  serve 
either  as  pokers,  when  used  separately,  or  tongs,  when 
held  in  each  hand,  and  applied  together,  &c.  &c. ;  in  short, 
we  have  found  out  many  improvements  in  housekeeping, 
which  may  benefit  us  in  after  life. — Our  mode  of  living 
would  amuse  you,  were  you  behind  a  curtain,  and  observ- 
ing us ;  our  dinner,  we  receive  from  the  hotel — whatever 
we  order, — but  our  breakfast  and  tea  we  make  ourselves. 
Our  tea-table  is  spread  much  as  follows :  a  white  teacup,  and 
saucer,  and  spoon,  on  each  side ;  a  plate  with  butter,  and 
a  plate  to  hold  the  loaf,  stand  at  the  extreme  end  ;  a  salt 
seller  occupies  the  middle  spot,  to  season  the  butter,  which 
would  be  otherwise  unpalatable ; — a  blue  paper  js  then 
opened  and  laid  on  the  table,  containing  our  sugar,  and 
a  similar  one  opposite  to  it,  with  our  tea ;  — a  couple  of 
knives  complete  the  whole.  Having  taken  our  seats,  and 
thus  put  into  requisition  every  article  in  the  room,  we  take 
each  a  spoonful  of  tea,  and  putting  it  into  our  cups  (having 
no  tea-pot  to  draw  it  in)  pour  the  water  on  it,  &c.  &c. 
using  our  lingers  for  sugar  tongs  and  other  things,  as  like 
need  requires :  and  I  do  assure  you,  I  have  made  many 
a  pleasant  meal  within  these  walls,  and  felt  a  grateful 
heart ! 

"  You  will  excuse  the  pleasantness  of  the  manner  in 
which  I  have  described  these  things  ;  it  is  not  my  usual 
style,  but  I  feared  you  would  droop  under  the  view  of  our 
privations,   had  I  chosen  any  other.     We  know  not  yet 

what  the  expense  may  be  for  each  of  us,  but  we  suppose 

w2 


246  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

it  may  be  about  ten  dollars  a  week !  Enough — and  to 
spare ! 

"  I  shall  now  give  you  an  account  of  the  caution  with 
which  our  intercourse  with  our  guard  and  others  is  carried 
on.  Every  one,  you  must  know,  views  us  as  infected  with 
the  yellow  fever,  and  acts  accordingly  ;  if  any  have  to  pass 
us  by,  they  take  the  windward  side,  for  "  our  very  breath 
breathes  pestilence  !"  If  we  have  occasion  to  send  a  letter  to 
town,  to  any  of  those  friends  to  whom  we  were  introduced 
from  New- York,  it  is  received  from  us,  by  a  long  pair  of 
tongs,  held  by  a  man  at  full  stretch ;  this  letter,  he  plunges 
in  a  vessel  of  vinegar,  till  it  is  thoroughly  soaked,  and  for  fear 
of  contagion  inclosed,  he  pierces  it  through  with  four  holes 
by  a  mallet  and  a  sharp  iron  applied  to  it  on  a  block  ;  it  is 
then  fit  for  use,  and  is  despatched  accordingly.  Indeed,  if 
you  would  form  a  correct  idea  of  the  abhorrence  connected 
with  our  persons,  and  the  distance  observed  by  every  one 
who  spies  us  in  his  path,  you  will  best  conceive  it  by 
remembering  the  treatment  of  lepers  under  the  Jewish 
law.     A  rattlesnake  is  not  more  shunned  than  we  ! 

"  When  we  first  came  here,  our  restrictions  were  much 
greater  than  at  present ;  we  were  confined  to  a  walk  in 
front  of  our  cell,  which  is  eighty-seven  yards  long  by  four 
wide  ;  up  and  down  this,  I  generally  exercised  myself  in 
promenading  eighty  times  a  day,  equal  to  eight  miles, — 
this  I  perform  at  four  times  ;  to  this  little  space  we  were 
confined  for  the  first  fifteen  days  ;  ihis  expired  the  day 


* 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  247 

before  yesterday.  We  are  now  allowed  a  much  larger 
field  of  action,  though  still  not  without  the  accompaniment 
of  our  guard.  After  we  had  been  six  days  in  confinement, 
we  were  closeted  in  our  little  cell,  and  stoved  with  burning 
brimstone,  similar  to  the  mode  of  destroying  bugs  !  I 
thought  I  should  have  been  suffocated  ;  I  flew  to  the  door 
for  air,  but  it  was  held  by  an  officer  outside  ; — it  threw  me 
into  a  paroxysm  of  coughing,  which  shook  me  to  my 
heart's  core — but,  thank  God,  it  had  no  worse  conse- 
quences. Tn  nine  days  more,  namely,  the  fifteenth  of 
our  confinement,  we  underwent  a  second  stoving  in  the 
same  way,  together  with  all  our  clothes,  trunks,  &c.  every 
article  being  spread  upon  lines  drawn  across  our  sitting 
room  ; — after  this,  finding  no  spots,  black,  blue,  green,  or 
yellow,  to  break  out  upon  us,  we  were  considered  as  half 
cleansed,  and  had  our  promenade  privileges  extended  ac- 
cordingly. I  believe  we  are  only  to  have  one  other  appli- 
cation of  the  fumes  of  brimstone,  namely,  on  the  day  of 
our  departure  ;  this  1  shall  look  upon  as  a  genteel  turn  out — 
but  whether  after  so  much  smoking  we  shall  leave  the 
place  sweeter  than  we  entered  it,  is  a  matter  very  doubtful 
with  me. 

"  Amidst  it  all,  I  enjoy  my  health  excellently  well,  and 
fill  up  my  time  by  writing  and  reading  several  hours  a 
day  ;  added  to  this,  the  exercise  of  making  up  my  bed- 
chamber, sweeping  the  rooms  with  a  birch  broom,  making 
the  fire,  boiling  our  earthen  kettles,  preparing  breakfast, 
&c.  &c.  and  writing  to  my  friends — altogether,  makes  my 


* 


248  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

time  go  pleasantly  along,  nor  was  my  flow  of  spirits  ever 
better  in  my  life. 

"  We  have  a  little  Catholic  Chapel  at  the  end  of  our 
promenade,  and  here  I  find  seasons  of  retirement  for  con- 
versing with  Him  who  seeth  in  secret,  and  knows  my 
situation  in  all  its  secret  parts — with  Him  who  directs  all 
things,  and  does  all  things  well ; — and  here,  though  pros- 
trated before  a  crucifix,  and  a  host  of  images,  calculated  to 
sink  the  soul  to  earth's  inmost  centre,*  I  enjoy  that  fellow- 

*  In  a  long  letter  to  his  valued  friend,  Dr.  Baker,  dated  five 
days  earlier  than  the  one  cited  above,  occurs  the  following  pas- 
sage in  reference  to  his  devotional  exercises  in  the  little  chapel 
alluded  to  : — "I  often  feel  at  a  loss  to  say,  '  whether  in  the  body 
or  out  of  the  body  !'  I  had  a  sweet  season  there  this  morning, 
and  I  find  ray  hour  is  again  drawing  nigh — there  I  will  remem- 
ber you  and  yours,  and  not  only  praise  on  your  account,  but 
strive  to  pray  that  you  may  be  'overwhelmed  with  all  His  weight 
of  love  /'  Oh,  this  weight  of  love.  It  was  this  which  constrained 
our  Fletcher  to  cry  out,  '  Lord,  hold  back ! — forbear  thy  hand !' 
He  feared  the  vessel  would  break ;  but  will  you  not  permit  me 
rather  to  say,  '  Lord,  expand  the  capacity,  enlarge  the  measure, 
make  Thyself  room, — and  fill — fill — fill  the  holy  and  the 
holiest  place,  till  all  their  souls  be  love ."  Amen  and  Amen  !" 
How  ardent  were  his  spiritual  aspirations  in  this  little  oratory ! 
And  with  what  interesting  associations  do  we  recognize  this  de- 
voted preacher,  while  here  excluded  from  the  city  on  suspicion 
of  being  infected,  manifesting  that  entire  consecration  of  himself 
to  God,  which  is  said  to  have  characterized  "  Marseilles'  good 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  249 

ship  with  the  Father,  and  with  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  which 
the  world  knows  nothing  of.  There,  also,  I  remember 
each  of  you  by  name,  from  my  dear  parent  down  to  Anne — 
and  oh,  how  sweet  those  moments  are  !  I  trust  you  all 
remember  me.  Pray  for  me  that  I  may  soon  be  restored 
to  you  all  in  health  of  body  and  vigour  of  mind — to  part  no 
more,  till  death  shall  do  his  office. 
"  Farewell,  my  dear  James. 

"  Ever  affectionately  yours, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  addressed  by  Mr. 
Summerfield  to  a  young  man,  a  near  and  dear  relative, 
who  had  imbibed  sentiments,  or  perhaps  rather  adopted  a 
course  of  conduct,  unhappily  but  too  prevalent  with  many, 
whose  immature  talents  are  so  sharpened  by  unholy  dispu- 
tation, that  they  find  it  indifferently  easy  to  defend  or  op- 
pose religious  doctrines. 

"Marseilles,  16th  February,  1823. 
"  Permit  me  to  warn  you  of  one  rock  on  which 


many  have  split,  and  round  which  you  often  delight  to 
play — I  mean  the  arguing  against  that  which  you  (not 
withstanding)  believe  to  be  true  in  its  nature,  and  that  en 

Bishop,"  who  remained  so  heroically  with  his  people  during  the 
great  plague,  that  he  is  poetically  said  to  have  drawn 

" purer  breath, 

When  Nature  sickened,  and  the  gale  was  death !" 


250  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

tirely  for  the  love  of  opposition.  You  may  think  yourself 
safe,  and  smile  at  the  concern  which  you  have  thereby 
caused  to  your  opponent — you  may  think,  { I  have  done  no 
harm,  I  firmly  believe  that  you  are  right,  though  I  have 
taken  the  opposite  side  for  the  sake  of  argument' — but  I  do 
assure  you,  and  experitnce  will  prove  it  to  be  too  true,  that 
this  disposition  indulged  in,  will  so  put  you  upon  seeking 
out  objections  to  those  doctrines  which  you  inwardly  ac- 
knowledge, that  in  a  short  time  you  will  have  per- 
suaded yourself  into  the  belief  that  they  are  mightier  than 
the  evidence  of  truths  which  you  have  not  yet  been  equally 
careful  to  collect,  and  which  you  begin  to  think  you  re- 
ceived from  the  prejudice  of  your  nurse,  or  of  education ; — 
this  will  lead  to  the  preferring  error  to  truth,  although  in 
time  you  may  appear  to  be  sincere  in  this  preference,  and 
please  yourself  with  thinking  you  have  equally  weighed 
both  sides,  and  given  an  impartial  decision  ;  the  old  adage 
will  nevertheless  be  found  correct,  that  '  truth  lies  at  the 
bottom  of  the  well' ; — it  may  be  covered  with  error  and 
ignorance,  which  are  always  found  near  the  surface. 

"  To  bring  these  general  remarks  to  a  particular  bearing, 
let  me  intreat  you  first  of  all  to  satisfy  yourself  of  the  Divine 
origin  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  if  indeed  you  have  any 
serious  doubts  thereon.  Its  evidences  flow  in  upon  you 
with  a  flood  of  light,  if  you  seriously  connect  prayer  to  the 
Father  of  Lights  for  his  superintendence  and  direction.  As 
to  human  productions,  I  recommend  to  you  the  first  volume 
of  Home's  Introduction  to  the  Study  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  251 

&c.  &c.  Having  ascertained  the  Bible  to  be  the  Word  of 
God,  you  should  implicitly  obey  all  its  contents.  Your 
belief  should  not  be  rendered  easy  or  difficult  by  the  pro- 
bability or  improbability  of  the  subject,  by  its  plainness  or 
its  abstruseness — but  be  always  simply  determined  by  the 
authority  of  the  Revealer — '  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath 
spoken  it,'  therefore  I  receive  this  doctrine,  and  credit  that 
fact.  This  obtains  even  with  regard  to  human  testimony  ; 
and  if  we  believe  the  testimony  of  men  of  undoubted  in- 
tegrity and  truth,  the  testimony  of  God  is  greater.  To 
believe  no  more  of  God,  or  of  His  Word,  or  of  His  works, 
than  we  can  comprehend,  or  reduce  to  some  of  our  modes 
of  knowledge,  is  not  to  honour  the  authority  of  God  at  all ! — 
yea,  'tis  actually  a  reflection  on  His  wisdom  and  veracity — 
on  His  wisdom,  as  if  He  could  tell  us  no  more  than  we 
know — on  His  veracity,  as  if  He  were  not  to  be  trusted  if 

He  could.     In  short,  my  dear ,  the  word  of  God  is 

not  matter  of  opinion  or  speculation,  when  its  divine  authen- 
ticity is  ascertained  ; — it  is  judgement — settled  law — decided 
truth; — it  reveals  in  the  way  of  judgement,  or  decision,  that 
man  is  fallen,  is  in  danger  of  hell-fire,  and  can  only  be 
saved  through  the  sacrificial  death  of  Jesus  Christ,  co-equal 
and  eternal  with  the  Father !  It  is  useless  to  oppose  these 
truths — they  must  be  submitted  to ; — the  Gospel  commands, 
not  proposes — it  must  be  obeyed  !.  '  Repent,  and  believe 
the  Gospel !'  May  God  speak  this  word  to  you  with 
power !" 

On  the  27th  of  February,  Mr.  Summerfield  was  allowed 


252  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

to  leave  the  Lazaretto,  "  in  good  health  and  with  a  grate- 
ful heart."  In  a  letter  to  his  father,  he  says,  "  My  mind 
was  not  free  from  uneasiness  on  this  subject  during  the 
whole  time  of  my  confinement ;  for  if  I  had  been  taken 
unwell  in  any  way,  I  could  have  had  no  relief,  but  by 
being  sent  to  the  Hospital ;  and  any  complaint  with  which 
I  might  have  been  afflicted  would  have  been  regarded  so 
suspiciously  as  a  sprout  of  yellow  fever,  that  the  time  of  qua- 
rantine would  have  been  prolonged,  and  my  fellow  passen- 
ger would  have  suffered  in  the  same  proportion." 

[To  HIS  BROTHER  WlLLIAM.] 

"Marseilles,  March  1st,  1823. 
"  I  have  been  too  short  a  time  at  liberty  to  say  any 
thing  of  the  country ;  what  little  I  have  seen  is  not  pre- 
possessing :  you  will  not  expect  that  /  should  view  it  very 
minutely  in  any  of  its  bearings  but  those  which  are  con- 
nected with  a  religious  point  of  view  :  on  this  subject,  the 
scene  is  awful !  If  the  jest  were  not  too  serious  a  one, 
some  christian  Diogenes  might  parade  the  streets  of  Mar- 
seilles at  noon  day,  with  a  lighted  taper  in  his  hand,  in 
quest  of  one  religious  man !  I  dare  not  enter  into  particu- 
lars,-— that  must  be  matter  of  conversation  when  we  meet." 

"  I  am  as  anxious  to  arrive  at  Paris,  as  I  am  to  quit  Mar- 
seilles; I  received  a  letter  from  there  yesterday,  which  may 
be  compared  to  one  of '  those  delightful  resting  places, 
whose  freshness  meets  the  longing  eye,  and  satisfies  the 
wearied  limbs  of  wayworn  travellers  amid  the  burning 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  253 

sands  of  the  desert  of  Zaara :  I  expect  to  write  to  some 
of  you  from  that  city.  Meantime,  with  kind  remembran- 
ces to  each  and  all  of  you, 

"  I  am,  my  dear  William, 

"  ever  your  affectionate  brother, 

"JOHN." 

[To  HIS  BROTHER  WlLLIAM.] 

"  Marseilles,  March  30th,  1823. 
"  This  city  is  the  most  ancient  in  France,  having  been 
built  600  years  B.  C,  which  brings  it  to  150  years  after 
the  building  of  Rome.  It  was  founded  by  a  colony  from 
the  ancient  city  of  Phocia  in  Ionia,  and  its  inhabitants  are 
still  proud  to  preserve  their  original  name  of  Phocians  ; — 
its  importance  increased  so  rapidly,  that  it  soon  became  an 
ally  of  the  Romans, — an  honour  not  allowed  to  every  ap- 
plicant for  that  distinguished  privilege. 

"  The  arts  and  sciences  appear  to  have  flourished  here, 
as  much  as  military  accomplishments,  if  the  ancient  motto 
of  the  city  be  to  be  depended  upon  ;  it  reads  thus  in  Eng- 
lish,— in  *  which  language  I  prefer  to  give  it  to  you,  as  I 
do  not  know  that  you  pretend  to  much  knowledge  in 
French — '  Massilia,  the  daughter  of  the  Phocians — the  sister 
of  Rome — the  terror  of  Carthage,  the  rival  of  Athens.1 — So 
much  concerning  its  ancient  splendour.  Its  modern  ap- 
pearance makes  a  very  sorry  figure  in  the  contrast ; — for 
although  Strabo,  the  ancient  geographer,  speaks  of  it  as 
one  of  the  most  superb  cities  in  his  time,  no  traces  what- 


254  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

ever  are  to  be  found  of  its  former  grandeur  ;  all  that 
remains  even  of  its  antiquity  that  I  have  seen,  are  a  few 
columns  of  an  ancient  temple  of  Diana,  which  now  form 
some  of  the  buttresses  of  a  modern  temple  of  Mary,  the 
wife  of  Joseph  the  carpenter.  There  are  also  some  old 
columns,  standing  outside  the  city  upon  a  site  once  occu- 
pied by  a  temple  of  Apollo,  but  which  have  not  been  con- 
secrated to  any  modern  deity, — I  suppose  the  partiality  of 
the  catholics  runs  in  favour  of  women,  and  the  transition 
was  not  great  between  Diana  and  Mary,  whom  they  have 
put  in  her  stead ;  indeed,  nothing  is  to  be  seen  in  their 
temples  throughout  the  city  but  shrines  for  the  devotees  of 
the  modern  goddess. 

"  I  have  remarked  that  these  are  the  only  remains  I 
have  met  with  of  the  antiquity  of  this  city ;  and  of  its 
splendour  and  former  magnificence,  I  have  discovered  none. 
So  long  as  it  remained  a  free  city,  such  as  Hamburg,  Bre- 
men, &c,  I  believe  it  flourished  beyond  any  other  co- 
temporary  ;  but  subjugated  as  it  now  is  to  royal  authority, 
it  presents  the  same  contrast  with  its  former  greatness, 
which  those  cities  present  with  their  neighbours  in  the 
petty  states  and  sovereignties  by  which  they  are  surround- 
ed. Marseilles  first  lost  its  liberties  in  the  close  of  the 
twelfth  or  beginning  of  the  thirteenth  century.  In  1226, 
the  citizens  repurchased  it,  and  maintained  it  with  all  that 
spirit  which  liberty  inspires,  against  the  Counts  of  Pro- 
vence, &c,  till  the  time  of  Louis  the  14th,  when  that 
mighty  monarch  brought  them  under  the  yoke,  deprived 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  255 

them  of  all  their  ancient  rights  and  liberties,  and  fenced 
them  in  with  fortresses  and  citadels,  which  yet  remain  the 
wonder  of  the  present  day.  This  was  in  1 660,  ever  since 
which  time  it  has  languished  under  the  weight  of  royal 
imposts,  &c.  So  that  you  can  hardly  decide  whether  it  is 
a  living  or  a  dying  city.  Its  harbour  is  the  only  source  of 
its  present  importance  in  the  scale  of  French  cities,  in 
which  it  ranks  the  fourth — Paris,  Lyons,  Bourdeaux,  and 
Marseilles,  being  the  order  in  which  they  are  classed  ; 
its  population  is  from  120  to  130,000  inhabitants. 

"  In  the  year  1720,  the  plague  was  imported  from 
the  Levant, — and  most  terribly  it  ravaged  the  whole 
province  of  Provence ;  in  this  city  alone  it  slew  from 
fifty  to  sixty  thousand  inhabitants.  This  is  the  rea- 
son of  the  severe  quarantine  to  which  I  have  been  sub- 
jected, and  may  in  a  great  measure  plead  the  excuse  for 
that  barbarity.  The  narrow  lanes  of  tins  city — for  streets 
they  are  not, — and  the  high  houses,  five  or  six  stories, 
every  apartment  of  which  contains  perhaps  an  entire 
family,  would  afford  fine  riot  for  that  dreadful  disease, 
should  it  again  obtain  admission  :  I  speak  now  especially 
of  the  old  city  ;  the  new  part  is  not  so  constructed. 

"  There  is  not  perhaps  within  the  Mediterranean,  so 
fine  and  secure  a  port  as  this.  It  lies  in  the  heart  of  the 
city,  surrounded  by  high  hills,  so  that  no  wind,  not  even 
the  Euroclydon,  which  is  spoken  of  in  the  Acts,  and  which 
was  the  cause  of  St.  Paul's  shipwreck, — could  have  any 


256  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

effect  upon  the  vessels  that  enter  here.  The  port  is  very 
spacious,  but  the  entrance  so  narrow  that  two  ships  could 
not  pass  :  on  each  side  of  this  entrance  is  a  strong  fortifi- 
cation, which  would  render  the  place  impregnable  ; — they 
are  the  work  of  Louis  the  14th.  There  is,  however,  one 
disadvantage  connected  with  it ;  there  is  no  river  or  stream 
V>wing  into  it,  and  the  water  is  therefore  never  changed ; 
the  tide  does  not  raise  it  more  than  six  inches,  and  carries 
away  no  part  of  the  ancient  filthiness.  It  is  much  like 
the  Old  Dock  in  Liverpool — and  you  may  conceive  what 
that  would  be,  if  it  were  not  cleansed  at  certain  seasons ; 
this  is  worse — inasmuch  as  there  is  no  possibility  of  emit- 
ting the  old  water  :  in  the  heat  of  summer,  I  am  told  it  is 
scarcely  possible  to  walk  near  it ;  indeed,  when  we  were 
approaching  it  from  sea,  a  slight  breeze  meeting  us  from 
the  mouth  of  the  port,  conveyed  with  it  so  filthy  an  odour, 
that  I  could  scarcely  endure  to  keep  on  deck ;  and  yet, 
sweetened  as  we  were  by  the  Atlantic  breezes,  we  were 
not  thought  pure  enough  to  enter  the  cleanly  harbour  of 
this  noble  city  ! — you  see  I  cannot  forget  my  quarantine. — 
— This  is  a  busy  season  here ;  last  week  presented  strange 
sights  to  me  ; — what  processions  !  what  profusion  of  lighted 
candles  carried  about  at  noon-day,  as  though  to  put  out 
the  sun's  glare  with  their  superior  splendour  !  what  saints 
on  canvass  and  wooden  angels  did  I  not  behold  !  what 
ridiculous  dresses  did  the  priests  assume  !  what  singing, 
sighing,  shouting,  in  every  part  of  this  christian  city 
during  the  solemnities  of  the  Passion  week ! — and  then 
on  Good  Friday, — Oh  !  my  soul  sickens — T  am  truly  sick 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  257 

at  heart  !  O  Lord,  arise !  help,  and  deliver,  for  thine  ho- 
nour !  Yes,  rny  dear  William.  I  have  seen  Popery  in  its 
dress — its  finest  dress  !  May  I  live  to  see  it  in  its  nakedness 
— or  at  least  till  its  skirts  are  cutoff! — It  must  come  down 
— the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it ! 

'And  terribly  shall  Babel  fall ! 
And  never  more  be  found  at  all !' 

But  I  forbear ;  you  will  say  I  am  running  into  my  old 
strains  ; — well, — if  they  are  old,  they  have  improved  by 
age ; — the  more  I  try  the  power  of  heart  religion,  the 
better  I  like  it.  That  my  dear  brother  may  experience  it 
in  all  its  vigour,  is  the  constant  prayer  of  his  affectionate 
and  sincere  friend  and  brother, 

"JOHN." 
[to  his  youngest  sister.] 

"Marseilles,  March  30th,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Anne, 

"  I  have  every  disposition  to  gTatify  you,  although 
the  matters  upon  which  I  may  make  observations  to  you, 
are  only  fit  for  such  little  Tarry-at-Home  travellers  as 
yourself.  If  I  were  to  detail  every  thing  which  I  meet 
with  in  the  manners  of  this  nation,  you  would  think  them  a 
vastly  strange  people  ;  it  is  necessary  therefore,  that  I  must 
forewarn  my  dear  Anne  against  rash  judgement  herein, 
and  caution  her  against  supposing  that  English  or  Ameri- 
can manners  are  any  standard  for  any  other  people  than 
Englishmen  or  Americans.  Frenchmen  would  smile  as 
y2  • 


258  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

much  at  some  of  our  customs  as  we  do  at  theirs,  and 
indeed  go  farther,  even  looking  upon  us  as  semibarbarians, 
in  raising  food  to  our  mouths  by  means  of  a  knife ;  they 
substitute  a  large  silver  fork  in  its  stead,  which  they  dex- 
terously manage  in  their  right  hand,  &c.  &c.  but  what 
of' all  this?  If  they  think  that  an  egg  ought  to  be  broken 
at  the  small  end  first,  and  we  think  it  should  be  at  the 
broad  end,  let  both  parties  laugh  if  they  like,  at  each  other's 
supposed  ignorance,  without  knocking  their  heads  together. 
In  one  word,  my  dear  Anne  must  ever  consider  that  cus- 
tom is  arbitrary, — that  is,  as  any  people  may  choose  for 
themselves  ; — and  except  it  opposes  the  laws  of  nature,  or 
the  settled  and  prescribed  rule  of  the  oracles  of  God,  we 
have  no  right  to  condemn  it. 

"  Wtiat,  for  instance,  would  you  tliink,  if  you  saw  the 
lower  class  of  Frenchmen  wearing  wooden  shoes,  and 
horse  cloth  stockings  drawn  over  their  pantaloons  halfway 
above  the  knee  7  and  yet  I  see  this  every  day.  Or  again, 
what  would  you  think  if  you  saw  the  women  acting  as 
porters  to  carry  loads,  &c.  while  the  men  are  lounging 
about  or  sitting  under  a  sunny  wall  side  7  and  yet  you 
would  see  groups  of  thirty  or  forty  at  many  parts  of  the 
city,  with  great  baskets,  &c.  waiting  to  be  hired.  Al- 
though both  these  examples  which  I  have  given  do  not 
recommend  themselves  as  any  improvement  upon  our  own 
habits,  yet  there  are  some  others  in  which  the  French 
appear  to  have  the  advantage.  For  instance,  great  com- 
plaint is  made  in  New- York  respecting  the  adulteration  of 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  259 

milk,  and  lacrometers  have  been  invented  to  ascertain  the 
extent  of  the  fraud ;  but  here  it  is  effectually  prevented ; 
the  milkman  or  woman  brings  the  cow  to  your  door,  and 
there  milks  her  for  the  quantity  you  take,  going  round 
with  her  in  the  same  way  to  all  the  customers.  The 
greater  part  of  the  milk,  however,  is  obtained  from  goats, 
and  truly  they  are  the  finest  breed  I  ever  saw :  we  have 
nothing  like  them  in  America.  They  are  very  large,  and 
their  fine  shaggy  hair  reaches  almost  to  the  ground  ;  these 
are  brought  into  this  city  in  companies  of  ten  or  twelve 
under  one  person,  and  this  every  morning;  they  know 
their  rounds  so  well,  that  the  herdsman  has  no  trouble,  and 
they  go  tinkling  along  with  their  little  bells  about  their 
necks,  and  stand  at  the  doors  where  they  are  accustomed 
to  be  milked.  They  are  so  docile,  that  the  keeper  has 
only  to  call  the  one  by  name  that  he  wishes  to  milk,  and 
the  little  creature  skips  upon  the  steps  and  wags  her  tail, 
as  if  proud  to  be  thus  picked  out  from  her  companions, 
who  stand  by  all  the  while,  till  the  operation  is  performed. 
They  are  not  timid  like  sheep ;  for  if  a  dog — no  matter 
how  large,  comes  near  them,  they  run  at  him  with  their 
horns,  and  if  he  does  not  make  the  best  of  his  way  from 
them,  he  will  come  off  with  the  worst  of  if. — Again,  the 
industry  of  the  lower  and  middling  classes  of  women  is 
much  more  than  the  same  in  America ;  (how  it  is  with 
the  higher  classes  I  do  not  know,  but  I  suppose  they  are 
much  the  same  as  their  kind  all  the  world  over ;)  you  will 
see  these  same  female  porters  I  spoke  of  before,  employing 
their  time  in  knitting,  till  they  have  a  job,  and  it  would  do 


260  MEMOIRS  OF  THE    ' 

you  good  to  see  them  squatting  down  on  their  baskets  as 
busy  as  bees  ; — those  in  the  middling  class,  who  come  to 
market,  to  sell  their  little  farm  productions,  (for  observe 
this  is  all  done  by  women,)  are  busy  knitting  all  the  way, 
riding  upon  their  ass  or  mule  upon  tlie  market  panniers  ; 
indeed  this  is  their  only  mode  of  conveyance,  as  very  few 
horses  are  to  be  seen  in  this  part  of  the  country.  I  have 
often  been  delighted  with  these  signs  of  industry :  if  a 
woman  is  carrying  a  load  upon  her  head,  her  hands  are 
not  dangling  by  her  side,  but  she  knits  as  she  trudges  on ; 
if  she  is  driving  home  the  market-cart,  sitting  on  the  front 
ridge,  you  see  her  employed  in  making  bass  mats  all  the 
way ;  and  even  if  you  stop  to  talk  with  one,  she  will  be 
working  all  the  time  she  is  talking  with  you.  Surely  in 
these  respects,  although  in  other  matters  we  may  smile, 
we  might  learn  a  useful  lesson  for  our  fair  ones  in  Ame- 
rica.— Believe  me,  my  dear  child,  ever  your  affectionate 
friend  and  brother, 

"JOHN." 

Such  was  the  style  of  elegant  playfulness,  in  which  his 
affectionate  mind  condescended  to  indulge  for  the  purpose 
of  beguiling  that  anxiety,  which  his  absence,  under  such 
peculiar  circumstances,  created  in  the  family  circle.  His 
soul,  however,  was  entirely  absorbed  in  the  grand  purpose 
of  his  life — "  If  there  is  a  scene  within  the  universe  of 
God,  (says  he  in  a  letter  from  Marseilles,)  calculated  to  lift 
our  minds  to  heaven, — if  there  is  a  scene  calculated  to 
bring  down  the  heavenly  host  to  earth,— it  is  that  which 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  261 

pourtrays  in  anticipation,  the  final  triumph  of  the  '  Gospel 
of  the  Grace  of  God ;'  yes,  the  Gospel  must  ultimately 
and  universally  triumph  !  well  may  we  exclaim,  '  what  an 
object  is  this  !'  It  is  the  fairest  scene  which  the  pencil  of 
heaven,  dipt  in  the  colours  of  its  own  rainbow,  can  deline- 
ate ;  and  even  the  great  voice,  issuing  from  the  eternal 
throne,  can  utter  nothing  more  exhilarating  and  sublime, 
than  the  consummation  of  this  event, — '  Behold  the  taber- 
nacle of  God  is  with  men !' " 


262  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 


SECTIOX  XIV. 

Writes  to  the  Young  Men's  Missionary  Society — Paris- 
Speech  at  the  meeting  of  the  Protestant  Bible  Society  of 
France — Reply  ofMons.  Billing — Letters. 

The  reader  is  already  aware,  that  besides  the  quest  of 
health  in  a  more  mild  and  salubrious  climate,  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield's  visit  to  France  was  as  the  bearer  of  the  official 
congratulations  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  of  which 
he  was  a  Director.  He  had  likewise  been  solicited,  pre- 
viously to  his  embarkation,  to  draw  up  the  Annual  Report 
of  the  New- York  Young  Men's  Missionary  Society,  of 
which  he  was  President.  This  he  consented  to  do,  in  the 
prospect  of  having  much  time  on  his  hands  during  the 
voyage.  Contrary,  however,  to  the  expectations  of  all  par- 
ties, they  made  the  passage  so  quickly,  and  the  motion  of 
the  ship  was  so  great,  that  he  was  prevented  from  accom- 
plishing his  design.  Instead  of  the  Report,  he  transmitted 
from  Marseilles,  under  date  of  February  20,  1823,  a  very 
pleasing  letter,  which  was  read  at  the  current  anni- 
versary in  John-street  Church,  on  the  evening  of  the  21st 
of  April.  Those  who  were  present  on  that  occasion  will 
r>Qt  soon  for2ret  the  impression  which  the  encouraging  words 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  263 

of  one  so  dear  to  them — spoken  as  they  were  from  "  a  far 
country,"  and  under  such  peculiar  circumstances — made  on 
the  minds  and  the  hearts  of  the  meeting.* 

On  the  5th  of  April,  Mr.  Summerfield  arrived  in  Paris, 
(via  Lyons,)  after  a  fatiguing  journey  of  six  days  and 
nights — his  health,  on  the  whole,  but  very  little,  if  at  all, 
improved.  On  the  16th,  the  Anniversary  of  the  Protestant 
Bible  Society  of  France  was  held  in  Paris.  Oq  this  occa- 
sion, the  address  which  he  had  prepared,  and  which  had 
been  translated  into  French  by  the  Dutchess  de  Broglie, 
was  delivered  by  Mr.  Wilder ;  the  author's  diffidence  of  his 
ability  to  speak  elegantly  a  language,  in  which,  neverthe- 
less, he  was  a  proficient,  deterred  him  from  pronouncing  it 
himself. 

The  following  is  the  address.  It  was  published  in  the 
American  papers  as  a  translation,  (from  a  translation;)  I 
suspect,  however,  that  it  is  the  original : — 

"  My  Lord — It  is  with  unaffected  humility  that  I  rise 
to  address  you  upon  a  subject  which  has  now  become  too 
vast  for  human  description,  and  far  removed  above  the 
eulogy  of  human  praise.  The  Bible  Cause  has  attained 
such  a  glorious  lustre,  that  it  is  like  a  mirror  polished  by 

*  This  address  is  printed  in  the  Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the 
Young  Men's  Missionary  Society,  auxiliary  to  the  Missionary 
Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  New- York,  1823. 


264  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

the  hand  of  heaven,  and  the  breath  of  the  earth-born  worm 
who  attempts  to  point  out  its  beauties,  rather  sullies  than 
correctly  delineates  them.  Still,  humiliating  as  this  con- 
sideration is,  and  strange  as  the  paradox  may  appear,  we 
approach  it  with  a  degree  of  confidence,  for  the  very  reason 
that  it  is  the  Bible  Cause,  firmly  persuaded,  that  although 
no  tongue  is  adequate  to  the  description,  yet  it  cannot 
suffer  in  the  weakest  hands  ;  for  the  testimony  concerning 
it  is  so  supremely  excellent,  as  to  dignify,  any  kind  of  lan- 
guage in  which  it  may  be  conveyed. 

"  I  have  the  honour,  my  Lord,  to  represent  upon  this 
occasion  the  American  Bible  Society,  by  whom  I  have  been 
delegated,  to  congratulate  the  Sister  Society  of  France  on 
Ler  past  success,  and  to  assure  her,  that  the  place  which 
she  holds  in  the  sympathies  and  affections  of  her  elder 
Sister  in  the  West,  is  second  to  none !  I  would  that 
another  and  a  worthier  Representative  had  been  chosen, 
or  that  my  head  were  frosted  with  the  winters  of  threescore 
and  ten,  that  weight  of  years  might  have  combined  with 
the  warmth  and  zeal  of  youth,  to  express  the  ardency  of 
her  affection  and  esteem  ;  but  since,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
I  am  what  I  am,  I  dared  not  suffer  any  consideration  of  the 
weakness  of  the  creature,  to  interfere  with  the  promise  of 
Him,  who  '  out  of  weakness  can  make  strong,  and  call 
forth  things  that  are  not,  as  though  they  were.' 

"The  statement  which  has  been  read  has  briefly 
sketched  the  leading  outlines  of  the  last  Report  of  the 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  265 

American  Bible  Society ;  and  yet3  exalted  as  must  be  the 
views  of  all  who  heard  it,  concerning  her  great  success.  I. 
am  proud  to  say,  that  were  your  Lordship  to  visit  our 
happy  shore,  you  would  find  cause  to  exclaim  with  the 
queen  of  the  South,  when  beholding  the  glory  of  Solo- 
mon— '  the  half  was  not  told  me  !'  Truly,  my  Lord,  '  the 
word  of  God  has  free  course  among  us' — '  it  runs,' — it  out- 
strips the  wind — '  and  it  is  glorified  !'  Opposition,  which 
for  a  time  shewed  its  hideous  shape,  and  rroteus-like,  as- 
sumed another  and  another  form,  has  now  quitted  the 
field— or,  if  objectors  still  remain,  they  are  like  the  scat- 
tered fragments  of  a  broken  enemy,  hanging  on  the  care- 
less outskirts  of  the  victorious  army  by  whom  they  have 
been  conquered,  for  the  mere  purpose  of  teasing  by  cow- 
ardly and  fruitless  annoyance  those  whom  they  cannot 
overcome.  Every  anniversary  is  with  us  a  jubilee  ;  we 
then  indent  another  and  another  to  the  thousand  triumphs 
with  which  the  monument  of  its  far-spread  fame  is 
covered ! 

"  There  was  a  phrase,  my  Lord,  in  the  statement  I 
allude  to,  with  respect  to  America,  to  which  I  would  offer 
a  brief  remark.  You  have  been  pleased  to  style  it  a,  free 
country; — it  is  so; — but,  my  Lord,  the  liberty  which  reigns 
there  is  not  peculiar  to  America  ;  it  is  the  privilege  of  king- 
doms as  well  as  republics — and  the  British  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society,  'which  is  the  mother  of  us  all,'  has  demon- 
strated, that  the  more  the  people  are  acquainted  with  the 
sacredness  of  the  relation  in  which  they  stand  'to  the 
z 


266  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

powers  which  be,  and  which  are  ordained  of  God,' — 
the  firmer  are  the  pillars  of  that  authority  under  which 
they  are  governed  ; — this  relation  can  only  be  truly  made 
known  by  that  very  gospel  which  it  is  the  sole  object  of 
the  Bible  Society  to  disseminate.  The  bible,  my  Lord,  the 
bible,  I  repeat  it,  is  suited  to  every  political  meridian;-  to 
the  towering  spirit  of  the  high  minded  republican  it  holds 
up  no  sceptre,  but  the  sceptre  of  that  monarch,  whose 
1  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world  ;'  while  to  the  subjects  of 
royalty  it  proclaims  the  first  law  of  the  throne,  '  render 
unto  Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's.'  In  the  camp,  it 
softens  the  rage  of  war  by  the  sweet  command  of  peace, 
'  love  your  enemies  ;'  while  in  the  cabinet  it  mollifies  the 
asperity  of  national  pride,  by  that  injunction  of  eternal 
justice,  l  do  unto  all  men  as  ye  would  that  they  should  do 
unto  you.' 

"  The  report  of  the  Protestant  Bible  Society  affords  a 
pleasing  testimony,  (if  testimony  were  yet  needed,)  that 
the  Bible  Society  is  the  cause  of  God  !  I  shall  return  to 
the  land  from  whence  I  came,  with  a  heart  warmed  with 
what  I  have  seen  and  heard  to  day,  and  there,  in  a  lan- 
guage with  which  I  am  more  familiar,  communicate  the 
glad  news,  that  in  France — notwithstanding  the  torrent  of 
infidelity  which  has  been  poured  forth  within  the  last 
thirty  years,  and  which  threatened  to  deluge  the  land — a 
spark  still  survived  which  '  many  waters  could  not  quench ;' 
— and  that  noio  there  are  more  than  l  seven  thousand  men 
who  have  not  bowed  the  knee  to  the  image  of  Baal !'  1 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  267 

shall  tell  them,  my  Lord,  that  in  France  there  are  men 
who,  not  affected  by  the  giddy  pinnacle  upon  which  high 
descent  and  noble  birth  have  placed  them,  have  laid  their 
honour,  their  reputation,  their  wealth,  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  counting  it  their  greatest  honour  to  bear  *  the  burden 
and  heat'  of  this  glorious  day,  in  which  the  Sun  of  Right- 
eousness is  shining  in  His  strength ;  in  a  word,  my  Lord, 
I  shall  tell  them,  that  in  France  there  are  kindred  souls  to 
those  which  dwell  in  transatlantic  bosoms,  and  that  many 
a  heart  is  tuned  in  full  accordance  with  the  angel's  mes- 
sage, '  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace, 
good  will  to  men  !' 

"  Mention  has  been  made  in  your  report  of  the  decease 
of  our  lamented  Boudinot,  the  late  President,  of  the  Ame- 
rican Bible  Society.  You  have  sympathized  with  us  in 
our  loss.  Although  time  has  lent  its  mellowing  hand  to 
alleviate  our  grief,  yet  still  we  mourn  !  He  was,  in  a  sense, 
one  of  you  ;  he  became  one  of  us ;  but  God  has  put  in  His 
claim  against  us  both,  and  has  taken  him  to  himself !  He 
has  been  removed  to  a  brighter  scene,  to  a  higher  mount 
than  Pisgah's  top,  from  whence  he  may  behold  the  pro- 
gress of  that  cause  which  was  the  pabulum  of  the  last 
years  of  his  life,  and  kept  him  above  the  power  of  death ! 
But  I  dare  not  trust  myself  to  enlarge  on  this  tender 
theme  :  you  will  meet  him,  my  Lord,  after  you  have  ceased 
from  your  work  and  labour  of  love,  as  he  has  done  from 
his  !  J,  too,  look  forward  to  that  scene  ;  till  then  I  have  no 
expectation  of  seeing  your  lordship  more,  nor  this  august 


268  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

assembly  over  whom  you  so  worthily  preside  ;  but  there 
we  shall  meet  again  !  Oh,  that  we  may  all  be  found  faith- 
ful at  that  day,  and  counted  worthy  to  be  crowned  with 
glory,  and  honour,  and  immortality,  and  eternal  life  !  Then 
shall  we  join  the  song  of  the  redeemed,  'unto  Him  that 
loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood, 
and  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his  Father ; 
to  Him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever,  Amen.' " 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  address,  which  was  received 
with  enthusiastic  applause,  Mons.  Billing,  one  of  the 
Secretaries  of  the  Society,  rose,  and  replied  as  follows : — 

"  Sir, — A  more  eloquent  tongue  than  my  own  should 
have  responded  to  the  affecting  address  which  has  just  been 
read  in  your  name  by  our  beloved  colleague,  Mr.  Wilder  ; 
but  the  worthy  assesseur,  who  expected  to  perform  this 
duty,  being  prevented  by  his  official  engagements  from 
attending  our  anniversary,  the  office  devolves  on  me ;  from 
this  circumstance,  you,  sir,  and  the  audience,  will  excuse 
the  brevity  and  imperfection  of  my  address. 

u  The  Protestant  Bible  Society  of  Paris,  cannot  but  feel 
deep  emotion,  to  see  among  the  number  of  distinguished 
characters  that  have  honoured  this  anniversary  with  their 
presence,  a  young  preacher  of  the  word  of  God,  who  has 
crossed  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  offer  to  us  the  expression  of 
brotherly  affection  in  behalf  of  the  Bible  Society  of  the 
United  States, — a  Society,  which  from  the  immense  ter- 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  269 

ritory  it  embraces,  the  number  of  its  auxiliaries,  and  the 
success  that  has  crowned  its  efforts,  occupies  one  of 
the  first  places  in  that  vast  system  which  now  encom- 
passes the  whole  globe,  and  which,  by  deriving  from  the 
wonderful  art  of  printing  every  possible  aid  for  the  dissem- 
ination of  the  bible,  promotes  the  taste  for  reading  it 
among  Christians,  and  publishes  it  in  their  native  tongues 
to  the  nations,  now  plunged  in  the  darkness  of  idolatry. 

"  The  sacred  scriptures  were  conveyed  to  the  shores  of 
your  continent,  by  the  nation  by  whom  it  was  first  dis- 
covered, and  in  part  conquered. — The  horrible  circumstan- 
ces, under  which  the  gospel  was  first  presented  to  the 
monarch  of  the  Mexican  empire,  we  need  not  now  call  to 
inind.  They  were  the  fruits  of  human  passions,  let  loose 
by  war,  and  by  the  thirst  for  conquest.  Let  us  beware  of 
attributing  them  to  religion.  The  spirit  of  genuine  Chris- 
tianity is  mild  and  tolerant ;  it  forms  the  basis  of  civilized 
society,  and  its  propagation  among  idolaters,  never  had, 
and  never  can  have,  permanent  success,  but  when  esta- 
blished in  a  manner  worthy  of  its  heavenl)-  origin. 

"  Your  happy  country,  sir,  was  peopled  by  Europeans, 
who  fled  their  native  land  to  avoid  religious  persecution. 
France  has  furnished  her  share  of  this  population.  You 
bring  this  to  our  recollection,  in  naming  the  pious  Boudinot, 
the  first  President  of  your  society,  to  whose  memory  we 
have  already  paid  a  just  tribute.  The  times  are  changed 
in  France,  as  well  as  in  England,  and,  to  speak  only  of 
z2 


270  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

our  own  country,  you  now  behold  us,  sir,  re-established  in 
all  our  rights,  civil  and  religious.  Under  the  sceptre  of 
the  august  dynasty,  to  which  the  destinies  of  the  kingdom 
have  been  for  so  many  ages  confided,  we  not  only  enjoy 
our  peculiar  worship  as  publicly  as  Christians  who  profess 
the  religion  of  the  state,  but  also  all  those  institutions 
which  spring  from  freedom  of  religious  worship,  and 
among  others,  the  one,  on  whose  anniversary  we  are  this 
day  assembled ; — where  we  hear  what  is  doing  throughout 
the  world  for  the  increased  diffusion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
and  have  opportunity  of  contributing  to  it  according  to  our 
means.  The  situation  in  which  our  government  places 
us,  by  the  laws  of  the  kingdom,  is  not  less  favourable 
than  that  of  Protestants  in  other  countries  of  Europe,  where 
the  Royal  Family  and  the  majority  of  the  subjects  profess 
a  different  religion,  and  in  which  the  progress  of  know- 
ledge is  not  so  far  advanced  as  in  our  own  country.  Pub- 
lic opinion,  we  dare  believe,  is  in  our  favour,  for  our  object 
is  simple  ;  it  seeks  no  concealment ;  we  discuss  our  mea- 
sures publicly ;  we  meddle  not  with  political  questions. 
We  are  humble  agents  in  the  advancement  of  His  king- 
dom, who  repeatedly  declared,  '  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world,'  and  who  taught  his  disciples  to  pray  to  their  hea- 
venly Father,  '  Thy  kingdom  come.' 

"Our  prayers,  sir,  accompany  you  to  your  country. 
May  this  voyage  have  the  happy  effect  on  your  health, 
which  you  anticipated  in  undertaking  it !  May  you  live 
long  to  exercise  the  sacred  functions  of  the  office  you  have 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  271 

assumed;  and  may  your  countrymen  realize  the  great 
expectations  excited  by  the  commencement  of  your  mi- 
nistry ! 

"  Permit  me  here  to  add  my  expressions  of  regard  for 
your  countryman,  Mr.  Wilder,  who  has  on  this  occasion 
presented  your  address,  and  who,  after  a  long  residence  in 
France,  is  about  to  revisit  his  native  land.  It  is  with  the 
most  lively  regret  that  we  lose  the  co-operation  of  a  man 
so  zealous  for  every  thing  that  tends  to  advance  the  inte- 
rests of  piety,  and  who  knows  how  to  proportion  his  con- 
tributions not  only  to  his  fortune,  but  to  the  wants  of  the 
numerous  institutions  which  he  has  aided  us  in  forming ; 
a  christian,  in  whom  simplicity  of  manners,  and  all  the 
domestic  virtues,  are  in  harmony  with  the  doctrines  which 
he  professes  and  propagates.  In  whatever  place  he  may 
hereafter  reside,  we  assure  him  that  we  shall  ever  remem- 
ber him,  and  shall  each,  in  the  particular  sphere  in  which 
we  act,  strive  to  be  imbued  with  the  spirit  which  animates 
him,  and  to  imitate  his  conduct." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Doctor 
Marinus  Willett,  in  New- York,  just  before  Mr.  Summer- 
field  quitted  Paris,  will  be  interesting  in  this  place. 

"  On  Wednesday  last,  was  celebrated  the  fourth  anni- 
versary of  the  Protestant  Bible  Society  of  France,  and  a 
more  pleasurable  sensation  I  never  experienced  ;  no,  not 
even  in  America. — The  commission  with  which  my  bre- 


i 


272  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

thren  in  that  country  had  honoured  me,  placed  me  in  a 
much  higher  situation  than  either  they  or  I  could  ever 
have  calculated  upon ;  and  truly  I  was  loaded  with  '  many 
honours,'  as  St.  Paul's  phrase  is.  For  a  moment,  I  fancied 
myself  in  New- York,  and  could  not  but  dwell  upon  the 
similarity  of  my  situation  when  I  first  addressed  the  Bible 
Society  tJiere,  and  my  present.  I  remembered  that  I  had 
just  arrived,  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land,  unknowing  and 
unknown ;  and  yet  from  that  very  hour,  what  friendships 
did  not  the  Providence  of  God  lead  me  to  form  !  friendships 
which  will  run  parallel  with  the  days  of  eternity !  Here 
I  was  in  a  land  still  more  strange,  with  whose  very  lan- 
guage I  was  not  familiar — and  yet  to  tell  you  of  those 
Christian  hearts  who  immediately  mingled  their  flames  of 
love  with  mine,  and  formed  one  common  glow,  would  be  a 
pleasing  task  indeed,  but  one,  with  the  particulars  of  which 
I  should  not  like  to  gratify  my  friend,  lest  it  might  feed  one 
latent  spark  of  that  dreadful  vice  which  was  the  condem- 
nation of  the  devil,  and  which  may  yet  remain  alive  in 
my  poor  heart,  although  I  assure  you  I  am  unconscious  of 
its  existence.  The  manner  in  which  these  anniversaries 
are  conducted  in  France,  is  far  different  from  ours — but 
the  advantage  is  greatly  on  our  side.  Such  is  the  jealousy 
of  the  Catholic  interest,  that  a  mandate  has  been  issued, 
requiring  each  speaker  to  write  his  address,  in  order  to  its 
being  submitted  in  propria  forma,  to  an  inquisitorial  com- 
mittee duly  appointed  !  You  may  conceive  my  situation 
and  my  feelings  ; — however,  though  thus  cramped  up  into 
the  space  of  a  nutshell,  I  complied,  and  endeavoured  to 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  273 

prepare  something  that  might  not  be  obnoxious :  it  was 
poor  work  indeed,  and  afforded  no  opportunity  for  that 
lively  discourse  which  an  unshackled  privilege  would 
have  produced.  The  Dutchess  of  Broglie,  daughter  of  the 
late  Madame  de  Stael,  kindly  undertook  the  translation  of 
it  into  French  ;  and  at  the  time  appointed,  not  caring  to 
read  it  myself,  on  account  of  my  ignorance  of  the 
Parisian  accent,  as  it  is  called,  Mr.  Wilder  favoured  me 
with  his  services,  whilst  I  stood  beside  him  like  a  statue. 
It  was  received  in  a  way  highly  flattering  to  my  American 
feelings,  and  a  very  neat  address  was  delivered  in  reply  by 
one  of  the  Secretaries." 

Notwithstanding,  however,  that  Mr.  Summerfield  was 
on  this  occasion  "flattered  even  beyond  sufferance" — to 
use  his  own  phrase — and  met  with  the  most  affectionate 
treatment  from  many  Christian  friends,  he  was  not  at  all 
in  love  with  the  French  capital.  Besides,  in  his  opinion, 
Paris  was  not  the  place  for  an  invalid ;  indeed,  he  doubted 
"  whether  a  sound  man  could  find  any  thing  like  home  in 
it."  In  a  letter  to  his  father,  he  says  :  "  My  health  is  much 
as  when  I  last  wrote  you ;  my  cough,  though  somewhat 
better,  yet  remains  ; — indeed,  soon  after  I  arrived  at  Mar- 
seilles, the  weather  took  ah  unfavourable  turn,  and  it  has 
been  excessively  cold.  I  have  often  said,  '  Oh,  that  I  had 
the  wings  of  a  dove,  then  would  I  fly  away  to  New- York, 
and  never  think  of  seeking  a  fine  climate  in  France  again. 
I  do  not  think  that  the  weather  is  worse  with  you,  than  it 
is  at  this  very  time,  and  Paris  is  the  dampest  place  I  have 


274  MEMOIRS    OF   THE 

oeen  in  for  a  long  time ;  this,  with  the  keenness  of  the  air, 
is  killing — however,  1  will  not  terrify  you  by  saying  any 
more  about  it."  Political  affairs,  too,  wore  a  gloomy  aspect 
in  France,  "  and  every  body,"  says  he,  "  appear  to  be 
seeking  refuge  in  their  native  land,  especially  if  they  have 
been  so  favoured  as  to  call  that  land  England  or  America." 
Happily  for  Summeffield,  he  had  ties  of  kindred  in  both 
countries  ;  having  therefore  received  official  documents  for 
the  President  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  he  hastened 
to  revisit  once  more  the  land  of  his  nativity. 


REV    JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  275 


SECTION  XV. 

Arrives  in  England — Fairfield — preaches  at  Liverpool — let- 
ters— attends  the  Conference  at  Sheffield — visits  many  other 
places — his  health  but  little  improved — letters. 

Mr.  Summerfield,  on  his  arrival  in  England,  sought  the 
Moravian  settlement  at  Fairfield,  near  Manchester,  at 
which  place,  as  already  stated,  he  had  spent  five  happy 
years  at  school,  and  where  one  of  his  uncles  continued  to 
reside.  Here  he  found  one  of  his  cousins,  a  young  man 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  lying  in  the  last  stage  of  a  con- 
sumption. Delicate  as  was  his  own  health,  he  devoted 
himself  assiduously  to  administer  such  friendly  assistance 
and  spiritual  consolation  to  his  dying  relative,  as  the  nature 
of  the  case  required.  For  a  full  fortnight  he  tenderly 
watched  the  death-bed  of  his  beloved  cousin ;  nor  did  he 
leave  him  till  death  had  closed  his  eyes.  It  was  the  only 
instance,  during  his  ministry,  in  which  he  had  been  called 
upon  to  see  a  person  die,  raid  his  feelings,  as  may  be  sup- 
posed, were  exercised  a  good  deal  on  the  occasion. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1828,  the  writer  of  these 
pages  paid  a  visit  to  Fairfield,  in  company  with  his  esteemed 


276  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

friend  Mr.  J.  Everett,  of  Manchester.  Interesting  as  this 
tranquil  retreat  of  such  an  exemplary  church  community 
as  the  United  Brethren,  must  have  been  to  the  visitors 
under  any  circumstances,  yet  on  the  present  occasion,  the 
genius  loci  derived  its  principal  charm  from  its  association 
with  the  history  of  Summerfield,  in  whose  memory  they 
felt  mutually  interested.  There  was  the  school-room,  in 
which  he  had  been  taught,  with  the  book  containing  the 
records  of  his  entry  and  departure  as  a  scholar  ;  and  a  num- 
ber of  happy  tyros  "disporting  on  the  margent  green"  of  the 
enclosure,  as  he  had  done  in  his  day.  There  was  the 
chapel  with  its  fine  organ — the  tones  of  which  he  had  so 
much  delighted  to  accompany  with  his  juvenile  voice— 
for  he  was  ever  fond  of  singing.  There,  in  one  of  the 
dwellings,  were  more  touching  memorials  of  his  later 
visit — an  engraved  likeness — the  couch  beside  which 
he  knelt,  while  reading  to,  and  praying  for  his  cousin 
Joseph — his  little  American  pocket  testament  left  behind, 
with  a  leaf  still  turned  down  at  I  Corinthians  xv. ;  and 
the  presence  of  his  uncle  himself,  who,  with  his  eyes 
overflowing  with  tears,  referred  to  the  incidents  of  this 
last  earthly  interview.  And  lastly,  the  neat  sequestered 
cemetery,  so  remarkable  for  its  simplicity,  where  (to  adopt 
a  single  line  from  the  poet,  whose  description  of  the  bury- 
ing place  of  the  patriarchs  in  "  The  World  before  the 
Flood,"  is  supposed  to  be  delineated  from  a  Moravian  grave 
ground :) 

*  The  little  heaps  are  ranged  in  comely  rows." 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  277 

and  over  one  of  which  the  surname  of  "  Summerfield" 
was  inscribed.*  This  visit,  so  interesting  from  these  asso- 
ciations, was  rendered  yet  still  more  so  by  the  courteous 
affability  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pohlman,  the  resident 
minister  and  his  lady. 

Mr.  Summerfield  was  invited,  and  actually  announced 
to  preach  in  the  chapel  at  Fairfield,  (a  distinction  never 
conferred  upon  a  methodist  preacher  before,)  and  a  large 
congregation  assembled  accordingly  ;  but  the  arrival  of  an 
official  visitor  at  the  time,  and  the  death  of  the  resident 
bishop,  Moore,  prevented  this, 

[To  Mrs.  Blackstock.] 
"Fairfield,  near  Manchester,  June  lltk,  1823. 
*f  My  dearest  Ellen, 

"  Your  long  and  grateful  letter  came  to  me  this  morn- 
ing ;  it  had  been  left  at  Fairfield  by  Mr.  Congreve,  yester- 
day, although  I  lost  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him,  having 
gone  to  Manchester.  Last  night,  I  spent  an  hour  or  two 
with  Mr.  Sands ;  he  proceeds  to  day  to  Sheffield  and  Leeds, 
where  I  expect  also  to  be  in  ten  days  or  a  fortnight,  but  must 
first  proceed  to  Liverpool  to-morrow.  In  Amelia's  letter, 
I  have  mentioned  the  afflictions  of  my  uncle's  family  :  it 
calls  to  my  mind  my  own,  and  especially  on  this  very  day 
last  year.     Mr.  B.  will  never  forget  that  day,  when  stand- 

*  «  Joseph  Summerfield,  departed,  June  8th,  1823,  aged  21 
years." 

2  A 


278  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

ing  by  my  bed  in  Doctor  Sargeant's  chamber; — every 
moment  I  expected  my  change, — and  having  no  power 
to  speak,  on  account  of  the  incessant  bleeding  from  my 
lungs,  I  made  signs  for  a  writing-table,  and  being  bolster- 
ed up  in  bed  in  a  sitting  posture,  I  wrote  the  enclosed 
paper  ;*  it  was  never  seen  by  any  other  eye,  and  in  giving 
it  to  you,  it  is  not  for  any  other  reason,  than  to  put  you  in 
mind  of  that  day ;  and  to  excite  your  gratitude  and  thanks- 
giving to  Him  who  held  my  head  above  the  water  floods, 
and  again  said  '  Live !'  Oh  that  it  may  be  to  his  honour 
and  glory ! 

"  With  regard  to  my  spared  life,  I  can  say  little  as  to 
its  long  continuance  ;  certainly  I  shall  never  see  threescore 
years  and  ten : — I  am  only  anxious  to  live  to  the  Lord 
while  I  live,  and  die  to  Him  when  I  die,  that  living  or 
dying  I  may  be  the  Lord's." 

On  Sunday  the  22d  of  June,  he  preached  in  Leeds- 
street  chapel,  Liverpool.  "  It  is,"  says  he,  when  writing 
home,  "  the  first  time  since  my  arrival  in  England ;  and 
yet,  although  I  name  this  to  show  you  that  I  am  not  quite 
dead,  you  must  not  infer  that  because  I  have  begun  I  shall 
continue  ; — no  ;  it  will  be  very,  very,  very,  seldom  repeated, 
and  I  shall  always  inform  you  when  it  is." — His  journal 
was  altogether  neglected  during  the  year  of  his  sojourn 
in  England  ;  but  it  is  gratifying  to  learn  from  the  follow  - 

*  This  letter  inclosed  the  testamentary  paper  given  page  210. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  279 

ing  extract — indeed  from  his  correspondence  generally, 
that  while  his  body  was  confined  by  .the  weakness  of  the 
flesh — his  soul  was  at  the  same  time  "progressing"  in 
holiness. 

[To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker.] 

"  Liverpool,  June  23d,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Friend  and  Brother, 

"  I  know  you  will  expect  to  hear  something  concern- 
ing myself, — and  this  is  the  cross  which  my  friends  com- 
pel me  to  bear  daily  ;  I  would  rather  write  on  any  other 
subject.  Well,  then,  I  find  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever  !  He  is  my  unchangeable 
friend.  He  is  my  all  and  in  all;  of  late  He  has  been  tem- 
pering down  the  natural  hardness  of  my  heart,  that  it  may 
receive  some  deeper  impressions  of  the  mind  which  was 
also  in  Him  !  I  mourn  over  the  baseness  of  the  material 
upon  which  this  is  to  be  wrought,  but  still  I  do  feel  that 
the  more  I  contemplate  and  behold  the  glory  of  my  Lord, 
the  more  I  am  changed  into  the  resemblance  of  the  origi- 
nal, by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord. — But  what  have  I  said  ? — 
And  yet  is  not  this  the  very  perfection  of  our  dispensation  ? 
• — Oh  that  we  may  press  after  the  fulness  of  the  stature 
of  a  man  in  Christ  Jesus  !  I  have  lately  dwelt  much  on 
those  inexhaustible  words  of  the  apostle  John  :  £  Beloved, 
now  are  we  the  sons  of  God  ! — and  it  doth  not  yet  appear 
what  we  shall  be  V  I  cannot  grasp  them, — there  is  a  world 
of  meaning  in  them  ! — '  It  doth  not  yet  appear !'  It  is  not 


280  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

yet  made  manifest :  but  it  shall  appear,  and  the  world 
which  now  knoweth  us  not,  shall  witness  the  manifestation 
of  the  sons  of  God  ;  for  conformed  to  our  Head,  '  we  shall 
be  like  Him  !' — what  can  this  mean  ? — utterance  fails — 
the  heart  cannot  conceive — 

'  We  fall  before  his  feet, 

And  silence  heightens  heaven ." — 

"  As  regards  my  poor  body,  it  is  yet  compassed  about 
with  infirmities  ;  my  general  health  is  tolerably  good,  and 
except  this  cough  of  which  I  complain,  I  am  as  I  have 
been  since  I  knew  you ;  my  cough  is  of  a  singular  cha- 
racter, for  although  I  expectorate  considerably  with  it,  no 
weakness  is  produced,  and  my  natural  strength  is  good ; 
I  can  walk  for  hours  without  fatigue,  and  eat  my 
food  abundantly,  and  with  good  relish.  I  am  living  with 
a  physician  in  this  town,  with  whom  I  have  been  asso- 
ciated from  my  childhood,  and  brought  up  at  the  same 
school,  and  almost  fed  at  the  same  table.  Yesterday  morn- 
ing I  preached  for  the  first  time  in  England  in  one  of  the 
largest  chapels  in  this  town,  and  felt  no  inconvenience 
consequent. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  all  my  friends  in  Bal- 
timore, and  first  of  all  to  my  friend,  and  brother  Soule ; 
upbraid  him  for  not  having  written  to  me, — and  yet  this 
would  come  with  no  weight  from  you,  seeing  you  are  in 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  281 

the  same    condemnation^      Mrs.   Dickins,    Mrs.  Bakery 
Eloisa,  and  all  the  children,  share  my  love. 
"  Believe  me  to  remain, 

"  my  dear  Doctor,  ever  your's, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

At  the  "  physician's  house"  alluded  to  in  the  preceding 
letter,  "  I  had,"  says  the  Rev.  W.  Stewart,  "  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  my  beloved  Summerfield  ;  I  was  greatly 
affected  at  witnessing  his  pale  and  emaciated  appearance ; 
I  inquired  of  the  Doctor,  in  his  absence — '  Do  you  think 
it  possible,  Mr.  S.  can  recover  ?'  the  Doctor  replied,  '  with 
great  care,  he  may  live  two  years,  but  he  cannot  possibly 
live  longer.'  In  this  the  Doctor  manifested  his  consummate 
skill,  both  with  reference  to  the  case  and  constitution  of 
his  friend.  My  very  heart  sighed,  and  said — c  alas  !  my 
brother.' " 

[To  Samuel  Harden,  Esq.] 

"  Liverpool,  July  10th,  1823. 
"  My  health  is  much  as  when  I  last  wrote  ;  the  Good 
Physician  still  holds  me  in  life,  though  with  a  slender 
thread :  I  do  not  yet  know  the  end  of  his  dealings  with 
me  in  this  respect ;  but,  he  is  too  wise  to  err,  and  too  good 
to  be  unkind, — He,  will  do  all  things  well.  I  cannot  pro- 
mise myself  long  life,  as  far  as  human  reasoning  directs, 
though  with  God  all  things  are  possible. — All  my  desire  is, 
that  I  may  yet  stand  before  Him  in  his  sanctuary  a  little 
2a2 


282  memoirs  or  the 

longer  to  point  poor  sinners  to  the  scene  on  Calvary — ihe 
bleeding  Jesus — 

'Happy,  if  with  my  latest  breath, 
I  may  but  gasp  His  name ; 
Preach  Him  to  all — and  cry  in  death, 
Behold,  behold  the  Lamb  !' 


"My  heart  was  much  rejoiced  yesterday  by  a  circumstance 
little  looked  for :  a  man  called  upon  me,  to  acknowledge 
me  his  spiritual  father,  of  whom  I  had  not  the  most  distant 
recollection  ;  he  lives  in  Arklow  in  Ireland,  and  having 
heard  that  I  was  in  England,  he  set  off  for  no  other  pur- 
pose than  to  lay  his  eyes  on  me,  as  he  said,  once  more. 
He  informed  me  that  four  years  ago,  as  I  was  preaching 
in  that  town,  in  the  open  air,  '  for  no  other  place  was  large 
enough  to  contain  the  multitude,'  God.  converted  his  soul, 
and  gave  him  a  clear  evidence  of  his  acceptance,  which 
he  has  since  retained.  He  reminded  me  of  the  text  on  the 
occasion — '  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy  ;'  and 
I  found  that  he  had  the  sermon  almost  written  upon  his 
heart.  These  are  comfortable  results  of  our  weak  labours ; 
we  see  not  now  the  fruits  ;  it  is  often  not  until  after  the 
labourer  has  fallen  asleep,  that  the  seed  springs  up  ;  and  the 
death  of  the  minister  has  often  given  birth  to  many  pre- 
cious souls,  who  had  been  heretofore  only  hearers  of  the 
word ; — may  this  thought  comfort  us  continually,  and  may 
we  know  the  application  of  the  Apostle's  words,  in  more 


»       REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  283 

than  their  primary  sense,  l  for  me  to  live  is  Christ, — but  to 
die  is  gain.1 " 

In  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Blackstock,  dated  Liverpool,  July  10th, 
1823,  occurs  the  following  passage,  "  your  second  letter  of 
the  13th  is  almost  exclusively  devoted  to  the  subject  of  my 
health  and  my  return  home  ;  I  know  they  are  both  inte- 
resting subjects,  and  often  mix  themselves  with  the  fireside 
conversation,  and  often  afford  a  theme  to  break  the  silence 
which  sometimes  exists  in  the  chief  seat  of  the  table. 
My  health !  and  my  return  home  ! — I  feel  myself  growing 
dull, — or  rather  sorrowful ;  home  is  a  word  which  has  a 
spell  in  it,  and  I  am  now  operated  upon  by  it  almost  to  a 
momentary  melancholy.  Sometimes  I  view  the  distance 
so  great,  and  so  measure  the  ocean  that  rolls  between  us, 
that  I  start  and  say,  £  shall  I  ever  see  that  place  again  !'  At 
other  times,  I  am  so  buoyant,  that  I  consider  it  but  as  two 
steps,  by  one  of  which  I  take  my  foot  off  Europe,  and  by 
the  other,  set  it  on  America ;  T  believe,  however,  both  these 
ways  of  viewing  it  are  erroneous — they  are  the  extremes  ; 
may  God  help  me  to  overcome  all  difficulties,  and  bring 
me  to  the  desired  haven !''  His  letters  to  his  younger 
sisters,  to  his  father,  and  to  Mr.  Blackstock,  breathe  similar 
sentiments. 

• 

On  the  30th  of  June,  the  British  Conference  opened  at 
Sheffield,  at  which  place  it  is  sexennially  held.  At  this 
celebrated  mart  of  cutlery,  Mr.  Summerfield  spent  about 
a  week,  during  which  he  wa3  domiciled  with  my  worthy 


2S4  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

friend  Thomas  Branson,  Esq. — partaking  the  elegant 
hospitalities  of  this  gentleman's  house  with  his  old  and 
valued  friend  Dr.  Townley,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  France,  who 
having  travelled  at  Preston,  was  not  unknown  to  the 
family.  His  appearance  was  very  unhealthy ;  his  counte- 
nance, formerly  so  fair  and  delicate,  appeared  to  be  puffed 
up,  and  slightly  cadaverous  in  its  hue :  he  complained 
chiefly  of  a  pain  in  his  side,  which  was  so  violent  one 
night,  that  he  told  Mrs.  Branson,  (who  nursed  him  with  a 
mother's  care,)  in  the  morning,  that  he  had  with  difficulty 
refrained  from  calling  them  up,  in  order  to  obtain  the 
assistance  of  a  surgeon  to  open  a  vein. 

At  this  Conference, — to  the  sittings  of  which  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield  was  freely  admitted,  and  treated  with  great 
respect, — the  Rev.  Messrs.  Richard  Reece  and  John  Han- 
nah were  appointed  to  proceed  to  the  United  States,  to 
reciprocate  the  friendship  of  the  American  Conference, 
which  had  been  expressed  four  years  before,  by  their  re- 
presentative, the  Rev.  John  Emory.  It  was  agreed  that 
Mr.  Summerfield,  on  his  return  home,  should  accompany 
these  gentlemen  to  America.  Ultimately,  however,  this 
arrangement  was  overruled  by  unforeseen  circumstances , 
and  I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  account  for  an  incident 
unpleasant  to  the  feelings  of  both  parties,  in  the  words  of 
Mr.  Hannah  himself  : — "  That  Mr.  Summerfield  did  not 
accompany  Mr.  Reece  and  myself  in  the  same  ship,  was  a 
source  of  great  disappointment  to  us  ;  but  it  arose  entirely 
from  a  private  cause.     Mr.  S.  was  waiting  for  his  brother, 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  285 

who  had  been  spending  some  time  I  think  in  Prussia  ;  and 
when  he  found  that  he  was  unable  to  sail  so  early  as  we 
intended,  he  expressed  a  wish  that  we  would  wait  a  fort- 
night longer.  This  it  was  impracticable  for  us  to  do,  as 
our  arrangements  were  fully  fixed.  We  were,  therefore, 
f  under  the  necessity,  though  with  painful  reluctance,  of 
taking  our  departure  without  him."* 

After  his  return  from  Sheffield,  and  having  visited, 
among  other  places,  Frodsham,  Birmingham,  Manchester, 
Liverpool,  and  Runcorn,  he  took  up  his  residence  with 
Anthony  Badley,  Esq.  a  gentleman  of  piety  and  fortune, 
then  residing  at  Weston  Hill,  near  the  latter  place.  Wliile 
under  the  roof  of  his  kind  entertainer,  a  portrait  was 
painted  of  this  "in  every  respect,  extraordinary  young 
man"  as  Summerfield  is  justly  designated  by  Mr.  Badley. 
This  picture,  which  the  worthy  owner  regards  as  a  "  beau- 
tiful likeness,"  has  been  by  him  courteously  transmitted 
for  the  author's  inspection :  may  Mr.  Badley  be  long  spared 
to  contemplate  this  precious  memorial  of  such  a  friend  in 
his  present  residence — Llanrhydd  House,  in  the  far  famed 
and  beautiful  vale  of  Clwyd,  North  Wales. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  the  year,  he  opened  a  hand- 
some new  chapel  at  Bilston  in  Suffolk  ;  it  is  to  a  print  of 
this  house,  that  he  refers  in  the  last  clause  of  the  following 
extract  of  a  letter  to  his  youngest  sister :  "  I  have  of  late 

*  Ex  Epist.  J.  H.  penes  me,  Feb.  28th,  1829. 


286  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

more  resembled  the  wandering  Arab  than  the  domestic 
European,  and  have  literally  had  no  certain  dwelling  place. 
However,  lest  you  should  imagine,  that  like  the  Arabian,  I 
have  been  dwelling  in  tents,  and  not  in  ceiled  houses,  I  send 
you  an  engraving  of  one  of  my  visiting  places — and  a 
most  lovely  one  it  is,  as  ever  you  saw." 

[To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker.] 

"Liverpool,  October  24th,  1823. 
"  The  climate  of  England  has  been  more  congenial 
to  me  in  every  respect,  [than  France,]  and  I  rejoice  to  say 
that  my  inner  man  is  renewed  day  by  day ;  I  love  my 
Master,  and  I  love  his  work ;  I  love  his  wages,  and  I  love 
his  servants  ;  and  if  I  hate  any  thing,  it  is  my  own  life, — 
for  I  count  not  my  life  dear  to  me,  that  I  may  finish  my 
course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I  have  received 
of  the  grace  of  God.  As  respects  my  bodily  health,  it  is 
greatly  improved,  and  T  now  look  forward,  with  some  well 
grounded  hope,  that  I  shall  be  restored  again  to  your 
prayers, — if  it  be  but  for  a  little  season. 

"  I  am  now  directing  my  face  toward  America ;  God 
is  my  record  how  greatly  I  long  after  you  all !  Early  in 
the  year  I  hope  to  take  my  departure, — but  you  shall  hear 
from  me  before  that  time,  so  as  to  know  my  final  arrange- 
ments. I  have  just  returned  from  Birmingham,  where  I 
have  spent  a  month  most  delightfully  ;  I  was  a  good  deal 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foxall,  who  are  both  well,  and  now 
travelling  among  Mr.  F's.  relations  in  Wales." 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  287 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  to  Captain  Williams, 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  who  generously  gave 
Mr.  Summerfield  a  free  passage  from  America  to  Mar- 
seilles, in  the  fine  ship  Six  Brothers,  of  which  he  was  the 
owner : — 

"  Runcorn,  December  22d,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Captain  Williams,  my  christian  friend  and 
brother,  whom  I  love  in  the  truth. 

"  At  this  season  of  the  year,  it  is  natural  that  I  should 
have  you  much  upon  my  mind ; — not  that  I  have  ever 
forgotten  you,  for  God  is  my  record,  that  I  have  good 
remembrance  of  you  in  my  prayers ;  but  at  this  time 
especially,  when  I  am  reminded  of  my  departure  from  my 
family  and  friends,  as  on  this  week,  a  year  ago,  I  cannot 
but  connect  with  this  recollection,  the  grateful  feelings 
which  pervade  my  whole  soul  towards  you.  I  have  never 
thought  of  you,  but  with  affection  ; — and  I  have  wondered 
what  could  have  moved  your  unmerited  kindness  to  me, 
who  was  altogether  a  stranger  to  you ;  it  was  not  the 
{ friendship  of  the  world,' — this  induces  every  man  to  look 
on  his  own  things  only,  and  weigh  accurately  the  profit 
that  would  accrue  from  every  transaction  ;  but  your  dis- 
interested kindness  bears  a  higher  stamp  than  nature  ever 
impressed, — I  see  in  it  the  counterpart  of  an  apostle's 
doctrine,  c  loving  Him  that  begat,  we  love  them  also  that 
are  begotten  of  Him :'  and  unworthy  as  I  am  to  be  ac- 
counted a  disciple  of  our  common  Lord,  yet  you  have  done 


288  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

what  you  have  done  in  regard  to  this  relationship.  I  can 
only  endeavour  to  heap  blessings  on  your  head  ;  thanks  is 
a  poor  return, — and  I  should  mourn  over  my  poverty  much 
more  in  reference  to  my  friends,  if  I  did  not  remember 
who  hath  said,  {  a  cup  of  cold  water  even,  given  to  a  disciple 
in  the  name  of  a  disciple,  shall  not  lose  its  reward.' — I  can 
boldly,  therefore,  transfer  my  debt  to  Him  wTho  has  promised 
to  repay  ;  I  feel  confident  that  my  God  will  supply  to  you 
all  my  lack  out  of  His  riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus  ! 
Thanks  to  you,  my  dear  friend,  again  and  again ;  and 
may  the  Incarnate  Immanuel,  whose  advent  into  this  lower 
world  we  at  this  season  commemorate,  take  up  His  resi- 
dence within  your  heart,  and  sanctify  you  throughout 
body,  soul,  and  spirit !  This  is  the  will  of  God  concerning 
you.  and  faithful  is  He  that  hath  called  you,  who  also  will 
do  it ; — be  strong  in  the  faith  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
hold  fast  that  which  you  have  attained,  and  press  on  ;  that 
when  you  fail  on  earth,  you  may  be  received  into  ever- 
lasting habitations  !  Amen  and  Amen. 

"  If  you  see  Captain  Mason,  remember  me  affectionately 
to  him ;  he  was  every  thing  to  me  that  I  could  wTish,  a 
father,  a  nurse,  a  servant ;  and  with  all  the  trouble  I  gave 
him  through  my  weakness  of  body,  he  never  seemed 
weary  of  serving  me,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  May 
God  reward  him  a  hundred  fold  !  Farewell. 

"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  servant, 

'•J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


REV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  289 

In  a  letter  to  his  father  under  the  same  date  as  the 
preceding-,  Mr.  Summerfield  wrote  as  follows — and  the  in- 
telligence was  melancholy  indeed,  with  reference  to  a  gen- 
tleman who  had  shown  him  no  small  kindness  in  the 
United  States : — "  When  I  reflect  upon  the  loss  of  many 
of  my  friends  and  acquaintance  in  the  past  year,  who  pro- 
mised a  long — long  term  of.  years — I  am  lost  to  know 
why  I  linger  here  below.  This  morning  I  have  received 
the  intelligence  of  the  sudden  death  of  Mr.  Foxall ;  he 
was  fully  calculating  on  returning  to  America  with  me 
and  brother  Reece ;  a  few  weeks  ago,  I  parted  with  him, 
full  of  health, — and  now  he  is  no  more !  '  Be  ye  also 
ready,'  is  sounding  in  my  ears  ever  since." 

On  the  10th  of  February,  1824,  he  wrote  to  his  old 
class-leader,  the  Rev.  Patrick  French,  then  a  Wesleyan 
Missionary  on  the  island  of  Antigua,  in  the  West  Indies. 

"  Runcorn,  near  Liverpool,  February  10£A,  1824. 
"  My  ever  beloved  father  and  friend,  whom  I  unceaa 
ingly  love  in  the  truth  ! 

"  What  shall  I  say  unto  you  ? — not  that  the  difficulty 
arises  in  the  want  of  matter,  but  in  the  selection  from  that 
abundance  of  it  which  now  presses  upon  my  mind,  the 
moment  I  undertake  to  write  to  you. 


#  #  #  * 


"  Although  I  have  been  in  England  ever   since  the 
month  of  May  last,  I  have  not  been  able  to  visit  Ireland ; 
2b 


290  MEMOIRS   OP   THE 

— I  thought  I  perceived  an  unwillingness  on  the  part  of  the 
Irish  preachers ; — indeed  I  scarcely  think  they  have  from 
their  hearts  forgiven  me  for  leaving  them :  but  the  autho- 
rity of  a  parent — and  that  a  pious  one,  compelled  the 
change, — and  I  am  now  satisfied  that  the  good  hand  of 
my  God  was  with  me.  He  has  prospered  me  in  America, 
above  all  that  I  could  have  asked  or  thought ;  but  I  dare 
not  trust  my  own  heart  to  enter  into  particulars, — '  the 
day  shall  declare  it.'  In  reference,  however,  to  my  much 
loved  Ireland,  I  am  now  quite  relieved  by  two  letters  I 
have  received  within  the  last  week,  from  my  best  friend 
in  all  that  country — my  dear  William  Stewart;  I  only 
regret  that  I  cannot  now  accept  his  invitation  to  come  and 
receive  at  the  mouths  of  many,  the  welcome  of  their 
'  inside  hearts,' — as  he  calls  it.  But  alas !  with  all  this, 
there  is  mingled  the  intelligence  that  brother  Steele  is  gone 
to  his  reward  !  O  that  we  may  ever  stand  with  our  loins 
girded  up,  ready  to  follow  the  bridegroom  whenever  He 
appeareth ! 

li  I  am,  as  ever, 

"  your's  in  the  best  of  bonds, 
"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

His  friend  Mr.  Badley  having  removed  from  Weston  Hill 
to  Linacre,  to  avoid  the  winter's  blast,  to  which  the  former 
situation  was  exposed,  Mr.  Summerfield  accompanied  him 
to  this  new  residence,  and,  says  he,  (January  29th,  1824,) 
"  a  more  delightful  spot  I  could  not  have  chosen."  "  Since 
my  last,"  he  observes,  "  I  remain  much  as  usual ;  indeed, 


REV.   JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  291 

I  am  like  a  '  creaking  gate,'  whose  hinges  are  half  con- 
sumed, but  yet  hangs  on."  From  this  retreat,  he  wrote 
again  to  Mr.  Blackstock,  "  14th  of  February,  1824 — Va- 
lentine's day."  This  letter,  in  which  he  "  mourns  over 
the  unmethodistical  conduct"  of  some  of  the  members  of 
the  American  Society,  was  the  last  he  wrote  from 
England. 


292  MEMOIRS  OF   THE 


SECTION  XVI. 

Returns  to  America — attends  the  Baltimore  Conference — 
ordained  an  Elder — appointed  a  Missionary  within 
the  bounds  of  Baltimore  Conference — extracts  from 
diary — mission  to  the  Wyandott  Indians — at  Balti- 
more in  extreme  debility. 

Mr.  Summerfield  had  now  been  fifteen  months  absent 
from  America,  and  although  the  latter  moiety  of  that  period 
had  been  spent  in  England,  the  land  of  his  nativity,  and 
amidst  generous  friends  and  Christian  brethren,  who 
evinced  towards  him  the  greatest  respect,  he  felt  neverthe- 
less that  he  was  from  home.  His  bowels  yearned  towards 
his  father,  his  brothers,  and  sisters,  whom  in  recollection, 
as  well  as  in  imagination,  he  saw  assembled  about  the  do- 
mestic hearth,  the  happiness  of  which  he  knew  suffered 
some  diminution  on  account  of  his  absence ;  and  where, 
as  an  invalid,  he  could  not  but  fancy  he  might  find  that 
repose  which  appeared  still  to  be  so  necessary  for  the  re- 
establishment  of  his  shattered  health.  But  above  all,  he 
sighed  to  be  again  engaged  in  that  blessed  work  of  calling 
sinners  to  repentance,  to  which  his  whole  soul  was  so  en 
tirely  given  up. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  293 

His  return  to  America  had,  as  before  intimated,  been  ex- 
pected by  a  packet  vessel  which  sailed  in  February  ;  and 
how  cordial  a  welcome  awaited  him  from  one  who  is  now 
a  Bishop  of  that  church  of  which  he  was  a  minister,  will 
be  seen  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  written  by 
the  Rev.  Joshua  Soule,  from  Baltimore,  March  25th,  and 
addressed  to  Mr.  Summerfield,  at  New- York : — "  I  re- 
ceived information  through  the  Commercial  Advertiser,  of 
the  arrival  of  the  packet,  and  the  names  of  the  passengers, 
the  morning  previous  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  and  I 
shall  not  attempt  to  describe  my  feelings,  when  I  read  the 
names  of  Messrs.  Reece  and  Hannah,  and  found  not 
yours — but  my  painful  apprehensions  were  but  for  a  day  ; 
and  I  assure  you  when  I  ascertained  that  the  cause  of  your 
delay  was  not  sickness,  or  any  peculiarly  adverse  provi- 
dence, I  rejoiced  with  thanksgiving. — "Welcome  !  thrice 
welcome,  my  dear  John,  to  the  shore  of  my  native,  and 
your  adopted  home !" 

On  the  16th  of  March,  1824,  he  bade  farewell,  alas !  a 
final  farewell,  to  England,  and  embarked  on  board  the 
Orbit,  Captain  Tinkham,  and  on  the  19th  of  April,  ar- 
rived in  New-York — "  contrary  to  all  my  expectations,  with 
a  slight  degree  of  improved  health."  Three  days  after  his 
arrival,  he  attended  the  Anniversary  of  the  Missionary 
Society ;  and  on  the  Sunday  following,  he  preached  at 
Brooklyn,  New- York,  to  an  overflowing  congregation. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  he  proceeded  to  the  General  Con- 
2p2 


294  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

ference  held  in  Baltimore,  halting  by  the  way  to  preach  at 
Philadelphia.  His  emotions  may  be  better  conceived  than 
described,  on  being  thus  permitted  once  more  to  hold  forth 
the  word  of  God  in  the  city,  where,  two  years  before,  his 
life  had  been  despaired  of.  Great  as  had  been  his  former 
popularity,  he  still  found  the  Philadelphians  his  "  unchange- 
able friends  f — his  reception  was  equal  to  his  expectations. 

He  attended  the  sittings  of  this  Conference,  and  on  the 
19th  of  May  he  was  ordained  Elder.  The  Rev.  Richard 
Reece,  from  England,  preached  the  preparatory  sermon, 
and  Bishop  M'Kendree  presided;  Bishops  George  and 
Roberts  were  also  present.  "  I  was  presented,"  says  he, 
"  by  my  valued  friend  and  brother — now  my  Bishop — 
Soule,  and  he,  with  Mr.  E.  Cooper,  F.  Garrettson,  Josiah 
Wells,  assisted  in  the  laying  on  of  hands.  To  describe  my 
feelings  is  impossible — it  was  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten  ! 
I  renewed  my  vows  unto  the  Lord,  in  the  presence  of  the 
most  august  assembly  I  ever  expect  to  meet  on  this  side  of 
heaven !" 

The  following  is  the  Certificate  of  ordination  : — 
"  Know  all  Men  by  these  Presents,  that  I,  William 
M'Kendree,  one  of  the  Bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  America,  under  the  protection  of  Almighty  God, 
and  with  a  single  eye  to  his  glory,  by  the  imposition  of  my 
hands  and  prayer,  (being  assisted  by  the  Elders  present,) 
have  this  day  set  apart  John  Summerfield  for  the  office 
of  an  Elder  in  the  said  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  man 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  295 

whom  I  judge  to  be  well  qualified  for  that  work ;  and  I  do 
hereby  recommend  him  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  as  a 
proper  person  to  administer  the  sacraments  and  ordinances, 
and  to  feed  the  flock  of  Christ,  so  long  as  his  spirit  and 
practice  are  such  as  become  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
seal,  this  19th  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty -four. 

"  Wm.  M'Kendree.     (Seal) 

"  Conference  Room,  Baltimore" 

In  consequence  of  the  precarious  state  of  his  health,  and 
the  advice  of  physicians,  he  was  appointed  by  this  Confe- 
rence a  Missionary  within  its  limits  for  the  ensuing  year. 
The  following  letter,  signed  by  the  presiding  Bishop,  will 
most  clearly  illustrate  the  scope  of  the  instructions  of  his 
Christian  fathers  and  brethren.  The  recommendation 
with  regard  to  Sunday  Schools  is  honourable  to  the  as- 
sembly from  whence  it  emanated.  An  attention  to  the 
"  spiritual  and  eternal  interests  of  the  rising  generation,"  is 
an  object  worthy  of  Episcopal  commendation  ;  and  happily 
we  have  lived  to  see  the  day,  when  the  dignitaries  of  Ame- 
rica, Methodist  and  otherwise,  are  not  alone  in  their  atten- 
tion to  this  important  duty  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

"  Baltimore,  May,  1824. 
"  Dear  Brother — 

"  I  herewith   acquaint  you   with  the  determination 
which  has  been  made  on  the  subject  of  your  appointment 


296  MEMOIRS    OF   THE 

for  the  ensuing  year,  in  the  fulfilment  of  which  you  are 
to  hold  yourself  amenable  to  the  Baltimore  Conference. 
You  have  been  nominated  a  '  Missionary  within  the 
bounds  of  this  Conference,'  similar  to  the  arrangement 
made  in  your  case  last  year,  but  which  your  absence  from 
the  country  prevented  from  going  into  operation.  Con- 
formable with  this  arrangement,  it  will  be  your  duty  to 
visit  as  many  of  the  principal  places  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Baltimore  Conference,  as  may  be  practicable,  having 
a  special  reference  in  all  your  journeyings  to  the  promotion 
of  the  interests  of  our  Missionary  cause :  this  may  be  ac- 
complished by  forming  auxiliary  branch  societies,  holding 
anniversary  meetings,  and  raising  collections  at  all  conve- 
nient opportunities :  in  short,  by  every  means  exciting 
among  our  people  a  missionary  spirit,  worthy  of  the  wide 
and  greatly  extending  work  among  us.  Closely  connected 
with  this,  are  our  sabbath  school  institutions ;  and  I  ear- 
nestly desire  that  you  will  do  all  in  your  power  to  promote 
the  spiritual  and  eternal  interests  of  the  rising  generation. 
But  superior  to  all  these,  I  trust  you  will  ever  keep  in  view 
in  all  your  ministrations,  the  great  design  which  we  believe 
that  God  intended  to  accomplish  in  the  world,  in  making 
us  '  a  people  that  were  not  a  people,' — I  mean  the  know- 
ledge not  only  of  a  free,  and  a  present,  but  also  a  full  sal- 
vation :  in  other  words,  a  salvation  from  all  sin,  unto  all 
holiness  ! 

;t  Insist  much  on  this,  build  up  the  churches  herein,  and 
proclaim  aloud  that  '  without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  297 

Lord :'  under  the  guidance  of  the  Spirit  of  holiness,  this 
doctrine  will  be  acknowledged  of  God:  '  signs  will  follow 
them  that  believe,'  and  press  after  this  uttermost  salvation, 
and  our  people  will  bear  the  mark  of  their  high  calling, — > 
becoming  \  a  holy  nation,  a  peculiar  people.'  Never  forget 
that  no  doctrine  which  we  have  ever  preached,  has  been 
more  owned  by  the  Head  of  the  Church,  and  I  doubt  not, 
but  the  success  of  your  Mission  may  mainly  depend,  on 
your  zealously  holding  forth  this  great  salvation. 

"  But  although  the  arrangement  within  will  confine  you 
officially  to  the  Baltimore  Conference,  to  attend  to  which 
will  be  your  first  concern,  yet  from  conversations  I  have 
had  with  Dr.  Baker,  Dr.  Wilkins,  and  other  friendly 
physicians,  I  deem  it  adviseable  that  you  should  be  allowed 
the  privilege  of  extending  your  range  of  travel  according 
to  the  seasons  of  the  year,  in  order  that  your  health  may 
become  permanently  re-established. 

"  I  therefore  permit  you  to  visit  any  part  to  the  north  of 
this  Conference  in  the  summer  season,  and  to  the  south 
in  the  winter  season,  as  may  be  recommended  to  you  by 
your  physicians :  at  the  same  time  urging  upon  you  to  have 
special  regard  to  all  the  preceding  objects  of  your  mission, 
in  every  place  whither  you  may  go :  sincerely  praying  that 
the  Head  of  the  Church  may  acknowledge  your  labours, 
not  in  word  only,  but  in  deed  and  in  truth. 

"  Your's,  affectionately, 

W.  M'KENDREE" 


298  MEMOIRS    OP   THE 

May  29th,  Mr.  Summerfield  returned  to  New- York, 
"  exhausted  in  body,  depressed  in  mind,  but  confiding  in 
the  God  of  Providence  and  Grace."  And  in  a  letter  to 
Dr.  Baker,  he  remarks,  "  we  had  a  tedious  journey  of  it, 
and  although  I  rested  at  home  the  whole  of  yesterday,  T 
still  feel  the  effects ;  my  sister  was  still  more  jaded,  and 
prefers  staying  on  the  island  to  accompanying  me  into  the 
city ;  however,  after  the  fatigue  is  over,  as  to  its  effects, 
I  hope  we  shall  both  show  that  the  kindness  of  our  friends 
in  Baltimore  has  produced  '  marrow  in  our  bones.'  For 
my  own  part,  my  friends  here  speak  very  flatteringly  of 
the  change  in  my  appearance ;  I  hope  it  may  be  perma- 
nent, and  that  my  future  stay  among  you  may  tend  to  the 
prosperity  of  my  body  and  my  soul." 

He  preached  in  Brooklyn  at  the  dedication  of  a  new 
Methodist  church,  on  the  6th  of  June :  the  Rev.  J.  Han- 
nah from  England  preached  on  the  same  occasion.  And 
on  the  following  Sunday,  he  occupied  the  pulpit  in  John- 
street  Church,  New- York ;  in  connexion  with  this  service, 
he  remarks, — "  I  never  remember  so  gracious  a  time 
under  my  feeble  ministry  !" 

After  corresponding  with  Dr.  Baker  on  the  propriety  or 
impropriety  of  his  visiting  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  the 
middle  of  summer,  he  resolved,  in  accordance  with  profes- 
sional advice,  and  in  the  company  of  a  gentleman  from 
New- York,  to  make  a  Missionary  excursion  northward. 
He  was  at  thi*  ^me  so  feeble,  that  he  dreaded  to  under- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  299 

take  the  journey,  and  yet,  says  he,  "  I  was  fit  for  nothing 
else."  He  took  the  steamboat  to  Albany,  at  which  place 
he  joined  his  companion,  in  whose  carriage  they  proceeded 
through  New- York  state,  into  Vermont,  and  to  Middlebury, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  31st. 

To  those  who  knew,  and  loved  as  he  deserved,  the  sub- 
ject of  these  memoirs,  it  cannot  be  uninteresting  to  trace 
his  progress  through  the  brief  remnant  of  his  ministerial 
career.  The  very  names  of  the  places  which  he  visited 
will  form  memorials,  interesting  to  the  recollections  of 
many  who  will  delight  to  recall,  with  the  pious  memory  of 
the  preacher,  the  scenes  and  circumstances  which  distin- 
guished his  ministrations.  To  avoid  tautology,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  identify  Mr.  Summerfield  himself  as 
much  as  possible  with  the  progress  of  his  mission,  it  will 
be  best  generally  to  quote  from  a  very  laconic  diary,  which 
he  kept  after  his  return  to  America,  such  entries  as  may 
appear  interesting. 

"  August  1st,  1 824.  I  preached  in  Middlebury  on  Sab- 
bath morning, — and  was  so  exhausted  in  consequence, 
that  the  remainder  of  the  day  was  indeed  a  burden  to  me ; 
but  the  Lord  blessed  my  soul ! 

"  4th.  I  preached  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  taking  up 
a  Missionary  collection  for  our  Indian  Missions,  amounting 
to  twenty  dollars — a  great  thing  for  Middlebury. 


300  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

"  8th.  Sunday.  I  preached  again  in  our  church. ;  and 
never  did  I  experience  so  great  an  increase  of  health  and 
vigour,  as  in  the  past  week.  My  health  seems  renewed 
like  the  eagle's ! 

"  10th.  I  preached  in  Burlington,  in  the  court  house, 
to  a  polite  audience:  and  spent  an  agreeable  afternoon, 
at  the  house  of  the  Governor  :" — he  was  a  brother  of  Judge 
Van  Ness,  of  New- York. 

"  11th.  I  proceeded  as  far  as  Montreal  in  Canada;  even 
here  I  found  many  friends. 

"  12th.  I  addressed  the  anniversary  assembly  of  the 
Montreal  Bible  Society. 

"  15th.  I  preached  this  morning  in  the  Methodist 
chapel ;  our  Society  here,  is  supplied  by  missionaries  from 
the  British  Conference. 

"  16th.  I  visited  the  Indian  settlement  of  Cochnawaga — 
a  Catholic  priest  resides  among  them. 

"  18th.  I  preached  again  in  Montreal  in  behalf  of  the 
Lancasterian  Free  School,  and  collected  one  hundred  and 
ten  dollars. 

"  20th.  I  preached  in  the  Socinian  church,  (Burlington,) 
at  their  earnest  request.     I  bless  God  that  I  had  courage 


REV.   JOHN    SUMMERPIELD.  301 

sufficient  not  to  prevent  me  from  keeping  back  any  part  of 
the  counsel  of  God-  They  were  offended,  and  refused  to 
come  to  hear  me  again. 

"  22d,  Sunday.  I  preached  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  raised  a  collection  of  thirty-four  dollars  in  aid  of  our 
Missions. 

"  23d.  Departed  from  Middlebury,  and  arrived  safely  at 
Pleasant  Valley,  in  New- York  state,  on  Friday  following, 
where  I  preached  the  same  evening,  to  such  a  congrega- 
tion as  we  could  raise. 

"  29th.  I  preached  at  Poughkeepsie  twice.  This  is  the 
first  venture  of  the  kind  I  have  made  since  my  hemorrhage 
in  1822.  I  found  myself  so  far  improved  by  this  my 
journey,  that  I  was  less  fatigued  than  I  had  been  by 
preaching  once  on  the  first  Sabbath  at  Middlebury.  In  the 
afternoon,  I  accepted  the  offer  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church — being  the  most  spacious  in  the  town.  Next  day 
I  took  my  departure  for  New- York,  where  I  arrived  safely 
on  Tuesday,  the  3lst  inst.  after  an  absence  of  five  weeks. 
My  health  is  now  better  than  it  has  been  for  some  years, 
so  that  I  am  persuaded  this  journey  was  of  God." 

[To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker.] 

"New-York,  6th  /September,  1S24. 
"  My  Dear  Doctor — 

"  In  labouring  more  abundantly  than  I  have 

2c 


202  MEMOIRS   OF   THE 

done  at  any  period  since  my  affliction  in  Philadelphia,  I 
have  been  supported  by  the  great  Physician  of  body  and 
soul,  and  while  strengthened  in  the  inner  man,  I  have  found 
also  that  the  tabernacle  has  undergone  considerable  repair, 
and  that  my  health  is  much  improved ;  how  long  this 
mercy  may  be  continued  to  me,  I  know  not ;  I  wish  to 
improve  it  to  its  full  extent,  and  work  while  it  is  called  to- 
day. I  feel  that  I  hold  life  by  a  very  feeble  tenure,  and  I 
wish  therefore  ever  to  be  found  in  the  spirit  of  sacrifice. 

'  I  rejoice  to  learn  that  your  tour  has  been  no  less  bene- 
ficial than  my  own,  particularly  in  reference  to  her  on  whose 
behalf  it  wTas  mainly  undertaken ; — may  she  be  long  con- 
tinued to  you,  to  be  blest  and  to  be  a  blessing.  I  now  look 
forward  to  my  return  among  you  with  less  painful  fore- 
bodings— the  gloom  which  hung  around  the  horizon  of 
Baltimore,  whenever  I  turned  my  eye  in  that  direction,  is 
now  considerably  dissipated,  and  I  anticipate  a  brighter 
scene,  if  God  permit. 

"  On  Thursday  next,  the  15th  inst.,  I  leave  this  city  for 
Philadelphia,  so  you  see  I  am  now  inclining  my  steps 
towards  your  little  Bethany,  where  I  hope  ere  long  to 
mingle  with  '  Martha  and  her  sister,  and  Lazarus,'  and  oh, 
that  your  household  may  have  as  distinguished  a  character 

as  that  of  Martha,  '  and  the  family  whom  Jesus  loved.' 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  Doctor, 

"  Ever  yours,  in  truest  affection, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  303 

On  Saturday  the  18th,  he  arrived  in  Philadelphia,  and 
on  the  following  day  preached  to  an  immense  multitude. 
Ten  days  afterward,  the  Missionary  board  of  the  Philadel- 
phia Conference  appointed  him  to  travel  within  the  states 
of  Pennsylvania  and  New- Jersey,  for  one  month,  to  form 
auxiliary  societies,  and  to  take  up  collections  in  aid  of  this 
institution.  In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Baker,  he  says — "  My  health 
remains  good — good  for  me;  I  still  labour  a  little  for  Him 
whom  my  soul  loveth,  and  for  whom  I  would  gladly  spend 
and  be  spent.  I  have  indeed  been  considerably  disap- 
pointed by  my  long  separation  from  you,  to  which  nothing 
would  have  reconciled  me,  but  a  belief  that  I  was  not  out 
of  the  line  of  duty.  I  think  I  can  positively  state  the 
time,  please  God,  when  I  shall  be  with  you — but  then  it  .is 
a  period  so  distant  that  I  am  afraid  '  hope  so  long  deferred 
will  make  the  heart  sick.' — And  yet,  what  is  a  month — a 
little  month?  Agreeably  with  Bishop  M'Kendree's  re- 
quest, I  have  made  my  arrangements  to  devote  a  month  to 
travel  within  the  bounds  of  this  conference,  for  Missionary 
purposes.  To-morrow  I  depart,  in  company  with  my 
dear  Thomas  (Rev.  T.  Sargeant.)  I  have  made  my  calcu- 
lations, and  determined  to  leave  here  on  Monday,  the 
first  of  November,  arriving  in  Baltimore  the  following 
morning." 

He  accordingly  preached,  with  reference  to  making  col- 
lections, and  forming  auxiliary  Missionary  Societies,  at 
Westchester,  Springfield,  Churchtown,  New  Holland, 
Strasburg,   Lancaster,   Columbia,    Harrisburg,   Mariet'" 


304  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

Reading,  Joanna,  and  on  the  15th  of  October,  he  returned 
to  Philadelphia.  After  visiting  New- York,  where  he  re- 
mained till  the  27th,  he  again  set  out  on  his  mission. 

"  November  1,  1824.  Met  the  Committee  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Board  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  and  delivered 
my  Report.  The  whole  amount  collected  was  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty-eight  dollars,  and  six  auxiliary  societies  es- 
tablished. They  apportioned  me  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  dollars,  of  which  I  gave  Thomas  fifty  dollars ;  travel- 
ling expenses  were  thirty  dollars,  so  that  it  left  me  one 
hundred  and  five  dollars  clear.  This  is  the  first  church 
property  I  had  received  for  two  years,  and  I  disbursed  it  all 
upon  my  dear  father  in  his  affliction. 

"2d.  Proceeded  to  Baltimore.  4th.  Preached  in  Light- 
street,  for  the  first  time  since  my  return.  I  am  now  com- 
fortably settled  here  ;  nothing  can  exceed  the  kindness  of 
Dr.  Baker  and  his  family  !  Their  love  to  me  is  wonderful ! 
My  God,  do  thou  remember  them  ! 

"  1st  December.  Preached  to  the  children  in  Light-street. 
9th.  Preached  again  to  the  children,  and  collected  from 
them  eighty  dollars,  to  remit  to  my  dear  Brother  Finlay, 
who  writes  to  me  most  plaintively  to  raise  him  fifty  dollars. 
The  gold  and  the  silver  is  God's."  The  autograph  ac- 
knowledgement of  this  devoted  apostle,  who  was  then 
labouring  among  the  Wyandott  Indians,  lies  before  me.  It 
is  written  from  Upper  Sandusky ;  and  I  will  not  wrong 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  305 

Jie  character  of  the  living,  nor  the  memory  of  the  dead,  by 
leaving  where  I  find  it  the  following  extract,  the  interest  of 
which  will  not  be  diminished  by  its  simplicity : — '  Dear 
brother,  above  all,  I  want  your  prayers,  and  the  prayers  of 
all  the  good  people  of  your  city.  Sometimes  I  feel  lone- 
some, and  yet  I  am  not  alone  if  I  have  but  the  prayers  of 
the  saints,  and  the  comforts  of  God's  Holy  Spirit.  I  often, 
when  lying  in  the  woods,  on  a  piece  of  bark,  taken  from 
some  lofty  oak  of  the  forest,  think  how  many  of  God's 
people  are  now  praying  for  me,  and  sometimes  I  am  so 
overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  the  goodness  of  my  most 
precious  Jesus,  that  I  cannot  contain  myself.  Glory  be 
to  God  !  I  feel  a  sacred  flame  this  moment  burning  with 
gratitude  to  him  who  never  sleeps.  Nor  does  He  despise 
the  day  of  small  things.  Oh,  that  I  was  more  holy,  that 
I  might  be  more  useful  to  my  fellow  mortals,  and  be  able 
to  spread  my  Saviour's  name  through  all  the  tribes  of  the 
forest.  Your  son*  John  is  a  fine  boy,  learns  well,  and 
promises  to  make  a  smart,  and  I  hope,  a  most  useful  man. 
As  he  is  not  in  need,  I  do  not  think  it  necessary  at  the 
present  time  for  you  to  send  him  any  thing.  If  you  had 
an  opportunity  to  send  some  small  present,  to  let  him  know 

*  An  Indian  boy,  named  John  Summer -field ,  at  the  request  of 
the  Juvenile  Missionary  Society  at  Baltimore.  A  certain  sum,  I 
believe  one  hundred  dollars,  entitles  them  to  the  privilege  of 
naming  a  Boy  or  Girl.  At  the  anniversary  alluded  to  they 
named  John  Wesley,  R.  Whatcoat,  F.  Asbury,  Mary  Fletcher^ 
W.  M'Kendree,  and  John  Summerfield. 

39 


306  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

that  you  had  not  forgot  him,  and  some  advice,  which  is  a 
great  thing  amongst  our  children  from  their  friends,  it 
would  be  of  benefit  to  him,  and  let  him  know  that  you 
heard  that  he  is  a  good  boy ;  and  that  as  he  has  become  your 
son,  you  wish  him  to  continue  to  be  so,  and  to  learn  his  book, 
&c.  Give  my  love  to  all  my  juveniles  in  Baltimore  that 
you  see,  and  tell  them  that  their  children  are  doing  well ; 
to  all  my  acquaintances,  and  to  all  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus 
in  sincerity.  I  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem,  your 
suffering  brother  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ, 

«  JAMES  B.  FINLAY." 

The  following  entry  in  Mr.  Summerfield's  diary  will 
show  that  the  imposition  of  his  name  was  not  confined  to 
the  Wyandott  boy  above  mentioned  : — "  December  16th, 
1824.  Went  to  open  the  <  Summerfield  Chapel,'  at  Elk- 
ridge  landing,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Nevins,  and  other 
friends.  The  Lord  was  graciously  with  me,  and  suffered 
not  his  word  to  fall  to  the  ground." 

While  at  Baltimore,  in  the  month  of  December,  he  sub- 
mitted to  a  course  of  salivation ;  that  this  would  be  bene- 
ficial, was  alike  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Baker,  with  whom  he 
now  dwelt,  and  of  the  physician  with  whom  he  resided 
some  time  while  in  Liverpool.  Of  the  favourable  result 
of  this  severe  experiment,  his  friends  as  well  as  himself 
were  very  sanguine.  Writing  to  Mr.  Blackstock,  he  says : 
— "  It  is  expected  that  in  the  spring  I  shall  fatten  up  after 


REV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  307 

it,  and  visit  you  with  a  renewed  constitution.  My  mouth 
is  very  sore  with  the  mercury,  which  I  rub  on  my  right 
side  every  night,  and  yet  I  am  well  able  to  preach,  al- 
though I  moderate  myself  to  once  a  week,  viz.  on  Sun- 
day morning,  and  occasionally  exercise  at  public  anniver- 
saries on  the  week  days,  Bible  Societies,  Bethel  Unions, 
Sunday  and  Free  Schools,  Missionary  Societies,  &c.  all 
appearing  to  fall  due  just  at  this  time. — You  need  not, 
however,  be  uneasy  ;  I  am  in  kind  hands  under  Dr.  Baker, 
and  he  will  not  suffer  me,  even  were  I  inclined,  (which  I 
assure  you  I  am  not,)  to  do  any  more  than  is  quite  con- 
sistent with  my  circumstances.  I  stay  in  always  in  the 
evenings,  and  have  determined  not  to  go  to  any  tea  parties, 
except  to  weddings,  for  I  have  begun  to  marry  others, 
though  I  have  no  prospect  of  such  a  change  for  myself,  so 
that  I  am  sure  you  will  commend  my  prudence." 

Weak  as  he  was,  he  still  continued  to  preach :  after 
service  in  Light-street  on  Sunday  morning,  although  he 
found  his  Master's  promise,  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway  !" 
graciously  fulfilled ;  yet  he  remarks — "  My  physical 
powers  are  very  weak,  and  I  have  seldom  been  more  ex- 
hausted than  at  the  close  of  this  exercise — I  had  to  retire 
to  bed.  O  how  should  I  value  a  sound  constitution,  were 
it  the  will  of  God  !  But  it  appears  to  me,  I  am  appointed 
to  halt  upon  my  thigh  all  the  days  of  my  life.  Well ! 
these  light  afflictions  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with 
the  glory  which  is  to  be  revealed  !"    How  meekly  resigned 


308  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

to  the  will  of  God  !  Content  to  "  halt  upon  his  thigh," 
after  long  wrestling  with  the  angel,  and  having  obtained 
from  Him  the  blessing  which  in  Ireland  he  so  often  and 
bitterly  agonized  to  find.  The  day  following,  he  writes  : 
— "  My  affliction  is  so  increased,  that  a  consultation  of 
physicians  was  held  to-day.  I  am  interdicted  all  public 
labours !  I  am  the  subject  of  constant  fever.  {  Lord,  thy 
will  be  done !' " 

On  Christmas  day,  notwithstanding  his  general  debility, 
and  that  his  mouth,  from  the  recent  effects  of  the  mercury, 
was  almost  too  sore  to  allow  him  to  speak,  the  absence  of 
Mr.  Nevins  left  it  almost  imperative  upon  him  to  take  an 
appointment.  "  I  have  resolved,  therefore,  (says  he)  to  hold 
out  to  the  end  of  the  year,  and  then  rest:  if  not,  I  shall 
soon  be  carried  to  my  rest  in  the  grave — I  preached  this 
morning,  (December  25th,)  to  the  coloured  people  in 
Sharpe-street,  and  the  word  came  with  great  power — we 
indeed  realized  the  hymn  we  had  been  singing  : 

'  O  would'st  thou  again  be  made  known, 

Again  in  thy  spirit  descend ! 

And  set  up  in  each  of  thine  own, 

A  kingdom  that  never  shall  end  ! 

Thou  only  art  able  to  bless, 

And  make  the  glad  nations  obey  ; 

And  bid  the  dire  enmity  cease, 

»  ~a  hnW  the  whole  world  to  thy  sway !' 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  309 

The  poor  Africans  appeared  to  be  let  into  heavenly  places ; 
every  heart  was  full ! 

u  Sunday,  26th.  Heard  Mr.  Bascum  in  the  morning,  and 
preached  myself  in  the  afternoon,  at  Mr.  Nevins',  from 
1  Cor.  xvi.  22.     My  strength  now  seemed  entirely  gone ! 

"  Monday,  27th,  with  a  view  of  fulfilling  my  final  en- 
gagement for  this  year,  unwell  as  I  was,  I  submitted  to  be 
carried  to  Mr.  Henshaw's  church,  to  address  the  anniver- 
sary meeting  of  the  Young  Men's  Bible  Society.  During 
the  meeting  I  sat  in  great  pain,  and  as  soon  as  I  had  done, 
was  obliged  to  be  carried  home.  For  the  remainder  of  the 
week,  I  was  confined  to  the  house,  and  lost  the  enjoyment 
of  all  the  sanctuary  services  with  which  the  old  year 
usually  closes  among  us.'' 


310 


MEMOIRS    OP   THE 


section  xvn. 

Extracts  from  Diary — letters — returns  to  New-  York — 
last  illness — death-bed  expressions — dies  in  the  Lord — 
public  sympathy— funeral — monumental  inscriptions. 

"  Towards  the  close  of  any  book  of  biography,  in 
which  we  have  been  peculiarly  interested,  there  is  some- 
thing of  apprehension  experienced,  as  we  approach  the 
last  pages ;  we  know  the  catastrophe  which  consummates 
every  work  of  the  kind,  because  the  same  is  the  consum- 
mation of  every  human  life.  Whose  heart  has  not  palpi- 
tated 7  whose  hand  has  not  trembled  as  if  it  felt  a  feebler 
pulse  at  turning  over  leaf  after  leaf/  and  whose  eye  has  not 
keenly,  eagerly,  yet  afraid  and  revoltingly,  glanced  on  to 
the  very  line  in  which  the  last  agony  is  described,  as 
though  it  saw  the  dying  look  of  one,  who  had  been  '  very 
pleasant  in  life,'  and  from  whom,  even  '  in  the  volume  of 
the  book/  it  was  hard  to  be  divided  ?  Yea,  and  we  read, 
with  prophetic  anticipation,  the  record  of  the  last  moments 
of  our  endeared  companion,  as  one  warning  more  of  our 
own  being  so  much  the  nearer  than  when  we  first  became 
a  acquainted,  though  it  were  but  a  few  days  ago."*     The 

*  Montgomery's  Introduction   to   Memoirs  of  Mrs.  Susau 
Huntington,  of  Boston. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  311 

foregoing  passage,  so  characteristic  of  the  authority  whence 
it  emanated,  is  not  more  striking  than  true ;  and  no  reader 
having  the  common  sensibilities  of  our  nature — especially 
if  those  sensibilities  are  refined  and  exalted  by  religion, 
pure  and  undefiled — can  have  proceeded  to  this  point  in 
the  affecting  narrative  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  earthly  course, 
without  feeling  something  of  the  touching  presentiment 
above  referred  to. 

We  perceive  with  certainty  how  soon  some  fondly  in- 
dulged hopes  will  be  disappointed,  and  how  shortly  and 
surely  some  forebodings  will  be  realized.  This  species  of 
knowledge  seems  almost  to  annihilate  the  scope  and  indul- 
gence of  anticipations,  that  owe  their  existence  to  that  un- 
certainty with  which  the  good  providence  of  God  has  so 
mercifully  overhung  the  contingencies  and  duration  of  every 
human  life.  As  the  final  period  advances,  the  incidents  of 
many  past  years  appear  to  crowd  their  recollections  into 
the  brief  remnant  of  weeks  or  days  that  are  behind  ;  and 
in  the  records  of  the  life  of  a  good  man,  the  memorials 
become  increasingly  precious  to  the  heart,  as  they  diminish 
in  bulk  to  the  eye — not  so  much  from  any  difference  in 
their  nature,  as  peculiarity  of  situation.  They  are,  as  it 
were,  the  key-stones  of  that  arch  of  existence,  whose  span 
extends  from  time  into  eternity,  either  segment  of  which — 
the  dimly  receding  past,  or  the  invisible  future — appear 
alike  to  owe  their  connexion,  if  not  their  stability,  to 
that  which  forms  the  point  of  contact 


312  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

Under  the  date  of  February  11th,  1825,  Mr.  Summer- 
field,  weak  as  he  was,  and  yet  residing  at  Baltimore,  re- 
commenced his  diary.  "  I  am,"  says  he,  in  the  introduc- 
tory paragraph,  "  truly  a  mystery  to  myself!  The  old. 
year  has  rolled  away,  and  the  new  year  is  fast  following 
it,  and  no  record  of  the  dealings  of  God  with  my  soul !  O 
tell  me  why — 

1  Why,  my  cold  heart,  art  thou  not  lost 
In  wonder,  love,  and  praise  !' 

The  temptation  of  postponing  all  attention  to  my  diary  to 
a  more  convenient  season,  still  haunts  me,  and  by  yielding 
thereto,  I  am  continually  brought  into  darkness.  My  af- 
fliction of  body  is  urged  as  a  reason ;  and  indeed  since  the 
year  commenced,  I  have  been  greatly  afflicted  :  but  then  I 
may  never  be  otherwise,  and  thus  while  vowing  for  to-mor- 
row, to-night  I  die  !  Painful,  then,  as  it  is  to  flesh  and 
blood,  I  am  resolved  again — yes,  again,  often  as  I  have 
done  it  before, — that,  God  being  my  helper, 

'  I'll  praise  Him  while  he  lends  me  breath  !' 

and  henceforward  record  from  time  to  time,  more  faithfully, 
what  he  hath  done  for  my  soul. 

"  My  mind  has  been  for  some  time  in  great  darkness  ! 
I  seem  to  have  gone  clean  out,  of  the  way ;  I  have  no  light. 
The  new  year  opened  propitiously  to  many,  but  ah  me  ! 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  313 

that  day  was  as  the  former."  Here  is  distress  and  fear 
again.  The  dark  lantern  of  the  body  often  obscurfs  the 
light  of  the  soul  clear  shining  within,  so  that  it  is  hidden 
even  from  him  who  possesses  it — yet,  yet,  it  will,  it  will 
break  out  at  lucid  intervals,  and  cast  its  bright  beams,  not 
on  himself  alone  and  his  path,  but  upon  all  things  and 
persons  around  him. 

And  accordingly,  in  the  very  next  entry,  when  speaking 
of  preaching  in  Light-Street  Church,  from  1  John  i.  9.  he 
says — "  Never  do  I  remember  to  have  been  more  greatly 
blessed  myself,  or  made  a  more  general  blessing  to  others ; 
for  a  short  season,  even  all  that  day,  I  was  in  the  suburbs 
of  the  heavenly  city — O  that  I  could  have  remained  there 
without  ever  descending  !" 

"  January  31st.  This  is  my  birth-day.  Time  strikes  a 
solemn  knell  this  day  to  me ; — it  may  mean, '  this  year  thou 
shalt  die  P  I  am  truly  surprised  that  I  am  so  little  alive  to 
this  interesting  season  ;  my  birth-day  was  always  an  un- 
common event  in  my  estimation,  and  my  feelings  were  pe- 
culiar— but  oh,  how  my  spirit  groans  beneath  a  cumbering 
load  of  weakness  and  affliction,  and  how  little  are  my  spiritual 
enjoyments  !     O  Lord  !  revive  thy  work  ! 

"  February  6th.  Sunday.     I  preached  in  Eutaw-street 
Church,  on 'What  shall.  I  render  to  the  Lord,'  &c.     After- 
wards the  communion  was  administered  to  a  multitude 
beyond  any  number  I  ever  saw  in  that  solemn  ordinance ; 
2d 


314  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

the  serving  of  the  tables  occupied  an  hour  and  a  half — but 
O,  the  Master  wa3  there  !  and  the  spirit  was  willing  and 
enabled  to  endure  the  fatigue. 

"  February  11th.  This  day  I  have  been  greatly  blessed 
in  reading  Wesley's  Sermons  on  the  Wilderness  >State,&nd 
Heaviness  through  Manifold  Temptations.  My  clouds 
are  beginning  to  break  away  ;  I  have  determined  to  live 
nearer  to  God  than  ever,  that  like  Him  I  may  know  no  dark- 
ness at  all !  Lord,  lift  thou  upon  me  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance. 

"  February  13th.  Sunday.  Preached  this  morning  in 
Caroline-street  Church,  on  Isaiah  1.  10.  I  believe  it  was 
made  a  general  blessing.  This  evening  I  had  a  most  pro- 
fitable fire-side  conversation  with  the  kind  family  with  whom 
I  reside  ;  their  love  to  me  is  wonderful !  Lord,  remember 
them  for  good ! 

u  February  14th.  Received  the  intelligence  of  the  decease 
of  Brother  Ross  (of  New- York)  on  Thursday  evening  last ; 
he  was  interred  yesterday  afternoon.  Father  of  the  father- 
less !  remember  his  orphans,  and  his  poor  afflicted  widow  ! 
One  of  the  lights  of  our  Church,  and  one  of  the  hopes 
of  our  Israel,  is  extinguished  in  this  event.  He  was  a  burn- 
ing and  a  shining  lamp  ! — And  I  am  yet  alive  ! 

"  Yesterday  afternoon  I  heard  a  profitable  discourse  from 
brother  Wells,  on '  Consider  one  another  to  provoke  to  love,' 


REV.  JOHN  STJMMERFIELD.  315 

&c.  His  remarks  on  the  words  '  consider  one  another,'  I 
hope  never  to  forget.  Consider  the  age, — the  constitutional 
temper, — the  educational  impressions,  &c.  &c.  O  if  we 
considered  one  another  more,  how  it  would  lead  us  tenderly 
to  caution,  advise,  reprove  one  another  in  love  !  and  how 
little  of  ^evil  speaking  would  there  be,  were  these  solemn 
words  always  impressed  on  us — '  with  what  measure  ye 
mete]  <£*c. — God  will  fulfil  this  to  us  ;  'tis  awful !" 

This  was  the  final  entry  ;  the  last  string  of  the  breaking 

heart  seems  here  to  have  sounded  ;  and  it  is  remarkable 

that  this  is  a  caution  against  "  evil  speaking,"  of  which  he 

» 
had  tasted  often  the  wormwood  and  the  gall,  even  among 

reUgious  people. 

[To  Mrs.  Bethune,  of  New- York ;  written  a  few  months 
after  the  death  of  her  husband.] 

"  Baltimore,  January  \kth,  1825. 
"  My  dear  Mrs.  Bethune. 

"  Must  not  suppose  for  one  moment,  that  my  silence 
for  so  long  a  time  has  arisen  from  any  abatement  in  my 
affections,  or  forgetfulness  of  her  claims  upon  me.  I 
thank  God,  that  I  have  often  had  good  remembrance  of 
you  in  my  prayers  night  and  day,  and  often  hav  e  com- 
mended you  to  Him  who  is  the  Judge  of  the  widow.  But 
truly  I  have  been  a  child  of  much  affliction,  and  though 
my  spirit  has  been  willing,  the  feeble  state  of  my  health 
has  retarded  me ;  not  that  the  bare  writing  of  a  lette','  is  in 


316  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

itself  a  task  of  so  great  magnitude  under  any  circum- 
stances— but  the  mind  sympathizes  so  acutely  with  the 
'  weaker  vessel,'  as  to  render  it  at  times  almost  impossible 
to  surmount  its  sensibilities.  Some  time  ago,  I  wrote  to 
Mr.  H.,  and  therein  I  made  mention  of  you,  with  a  desire 
to  know  how  you  are  ?  and  where  you  are  ?  Mr.  H.  did 
kindly  favour  me  with  a  few  lines  in  reply,  merely  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  my  letter,  with  a  promise  to 
write  at  full  length  in  a  few  days :  those  few  days  are 
multiplied  into  many,  and  I  have  become  the  more  anxious 
on  his  account  also  to  know  what  is  transpiring  among 
you  ;  for  'God  is  my  record,  how  greatly  I  long  after  you 
all  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ !'  A  few  days  since  I 
dined  in  company  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  M.  a  son  of  the 
Doctor,  and  from  him  I  ivas  pleased  to  hear  a  favourable 
account  of  your  beloved  son  George,  and  that  he  manifests 
much  seriousness,  and  devotedness  to  the  sacred  character 
to  which  he  is  preparing  himself,  for  future  life.  O  is 
this  the  case  ?  I  wish  he  would  write  to  me.*  I  keep  up  a 
sweet  correspondence  with  Princeton  College — but  strange 
to  say,  I  have  no  correspondent  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary^ although  I  sometimes  think  that  there  are  several 
youths  there  upon  whom  I  have  some  claim  to  be  remem- 
bered. 


*  Most  gladly  was  this  request  complied  with  by  Mr.  G.  B., 
but  alas !  the  rapid  decline  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  health  did  not 
permit  him  to  reply. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  317 

"  I  trust  that  the  mellowing  hand  of  time  has  in  some  de- 
gree dried  up  the  tears  of  your  lonely  widowhood.  Whither 
he  is  gone,  '  you  know,  and  the  way  you  know ;'  he  shall 
not  return  to  you,  but  you  shall  go  to  him :  remember  the 
gulf  is  not  between  heaven  and  earth — but  heaven  and 
hell ;  and  now  that  he  is  absent  from  the  body,  he  is  present 
with  the  Lord ;  that  Lord  whom  he  loved  when  he  saw 
him  not,  and  whom  he  now  sees  face  to  face. 

1  Where  all  the  ship's  company  meet, 
Who  sailed  with  their  captain  beneath  !' 

And  oh,  my  God,  shall  I  be  there  ! — and  shall  you  be 
there  ?  yea,  saith  the  Spirit !  yea,  saith  the  Saviour,  for 
1  where  I  am  there  shall  my  servants  be  !'  yea,  saith  the 
Father,  '  It  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the 
kingdom  !'  Let  us  comfort  one  another  with  these  words, 
and  then  '  to  die  is  gain  !' 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  madam.  Give  my  love  to  our 

mutual  friends ;  and  believe  me  sincerely  and  affection- 
ately yours  in  christian  love, 

"  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  the  Rev.  Joseph  Tabor.] 

"  Baltimore,  January  \Uh,  1825. 
"  My  dear  Friend, 
"  What  an  age  is  it  since  we  last  saw  each  other ! 
and  which   of   us  had  the  most  distant  idea  when  wo 
2d2 


318  MEMOIRS   OF   THE 

separated  [in  Ireland]  of  our  being  so  near  together  as  the 
space  between  Pittsburg  and  Baltimore !  [Then  occur 
many  references  to  European  affairs,  in  which  they  were 
mutually  interested.] 

"  And  now  I  think  it  is  time  I  should  say  something 
about  yourself.  I  have  learned  with  regret  that  success  has 
not  attended  your  removal  to  this  country  according  to 
your  expectation  ;  you  know  how  opposed  I  was  to  it ; — 
however,  this  is  poor  comfort ;  nevertheless,  I  rejoice  to 
know  that  you  have  not  fallen  into  the  snare  of  too  many 
of  our  poor  Irish  brethren,  whom  I  have  met  with  in  Ca- 
nada, and  elsewhere,  who  have  in  the  same  proportion  as 
they  lost  ground  on  earth,  given  up  their  hope  of  heaven, 
and  departed  from  the  living  God ! — I  trust  that  your 
mountain  still  stands  strong,  and  that  you  yet  know  that 
you  have  in  heaven  a  better  and  an  enduring  substance. 
As  for  myself,  with  much  weakness  of  the  body,  with 
which  I  have  had  to  contend,  I  am  yet  honoured  with  a 
name  among  the  living  in  Jerusalem  ! — In  this  country  my 
labours  have  been  indeed  more  abundant,  and  I  have  not 
been  permitted  to  labour  alone  !  having  obtained  help  of 
God,  I  continue  unto  this  day.  My  soul  is  in  my  work,  and 
the  zeal  of  the  Lord's  house  is  as  a  fire  within  my  bones ; — 
the  Lord  has  honoured  me  with  many  honours  ;  and  at 
the  same  t.-me  has  taught  me  the  art  of  hanging  them  all 
as  trophies  on  the  Cross  of  Christ.  My  health  is  im- 
p  oving,  and  I  pray  that  my  days  may  yet  be  lengthened 


REV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  319 

out,  that  I  may  bear  witness  of  the  great  salvation  to 
children  yet  unborn  !     Farewell,  my  dear  friend. 

"  Your's,  in  Christian  affection, 

J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

* 

[The  following  letter  was  written  to  the  widow  of  the 
late  lamented  George  Warner,  Esq.  who  died  on  the  1st 
of  January,  1825,  known  and  beloved  by  thousands  in  the 
city  and  state  of  New- York,  of  whose  legislature  he  was 
for  many  years  a  member ;  and  who,  for  more  than  half  a 
century,  was  eminently  distinguished  for  his  zealous  and 
unceasing  exertions  in  the  cause  of  Christ.] 

"  Baltimore,  February  15th,  1825. 
u  My  dear -Mrs.  Warner  must  not  suppose,  that,  because 
I  have  not  broken  silence  until  now,  I  had  no  sympathy 
with  her  under  her  late  bereavement.  Job's  friends  '  sat 
by  his  side  upon  the  ground  seven  days  and  seven  nights, 
and  none  spake  a  word  unto  him ;  for  they  saw  that  his 
grief  was  very  great.'  But  then  surely  there  is  a  fit  time 
when  the  'minister  of  peace'  should  break  the  seal  of  his 
commission,  and  fulfil  its  mandate,  '  comfort  ye,  comfort  ye 
my  people,  saith  your  God !'  It  would  indeed  be  imperti- 
nent in  any  other  than  the  '  Prince  of  life,'  who  was  about 
to  give  back  to  the  disconsolate  widow  her  greatest  earthly 
treasure,  to  say  '  weep  not ;' — oh  no  !  it  is  permitted  to  us 
to  weep,  and  even  to  sorrow  many  days  ; — but  then  '  let 
us  not  sorrow  as  do  others  ;  for  if  we  believe  that  Jesus 
died  and  rose  again,  even  so  also,  them  that  sleep  in  Jesus 


320  MEMOIRS   OP    THE 

shall  God  bring  with  him ;'  '  he  is  not  dead  then,  but  sleep- 
eth  ;'  and  Jesus  will  yet  awake  him  out  of  sleep.  He  has 
long  known  that  his  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  in  the  lat- 
ter day,  He  should  stand  again  upon  the  earth  and  see 
Him  eye  to  eye, — Him  whom  he  loved,  though  he  saw 
Him  not,  and  in  whom  he  long  rejoiced  with  joy  unspeaka- 
ble and  full  of  glory. 

"  Oh  how  I  should  have  desired  to  have  been  with  him, 
when  the  shadows  of  time  were  flitting  away,  and  the 
glories  of  eternity  bursting  upon  his  open  vision  !  O  how 
I  should  have  longed  to  have  witnessed  in  him,  with  what 
peace  a  christian  can  die  !  I  might  have  learned  a  lesson 
which  is  now  lost  to  me  for  ever.  But  you  witnessed  it ; 
nay,  you  were  the  witness  of  his  life,  which  was  a  daily 
lesson ;  the  last  chapter  of  which  might  be  summed  up 
in  one  line,  c  I  live, — yet  not  I, — but  Christ  liveth  in  me.' 
He  felt  that  for  him  to  live  was  Christ, — but  now  he  finds 
'  that  to  die,  is  gain.1  Happy  soul !  thy  days  are  ended. 
He  will  not  return  to  us,  but  we  shall  go  to  him ;  he  has 
gained  the  prize  before  us  ;  but  then,  although  we  have  it 
not  as  yet,  '  there  is  laid  up  for  us  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness, which  the  Lord  will  give  at  that  day.'  And  though 
we  should  long  be  kept  out  of  the  possession  of  it,  rust 
will  not  corrupt  it ;  it  is  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not 
away  !  Oh  that  you,  and  yours,  may  gain  the  blissful 
shore  as  safely  as  he  has  done,  without  any  shipwreck  of 
faith  and  of  a  good  conscience  !  and  oh,  my  God  !  remem- 
ber me !  When  your  feelings  will  permit,  I  should  be  glad 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  321 

to  hear  some  particulars  of  the  last  moments  of  my  much 
beloved  and  never-to-be-forgotten  friend.  He  was  among 
the  first  of  my  friendships  in  New-York,  both  as  to  my 
early  acquamtance  with  him,  and  the  value  I  placed  upon 
his  disinterested  kindness  to  me  ! — I  am  bereaved  indeed ; 
one  after  another  is  summoned  away,  and  I  am  left  to  heai 
tales  of  woe.  It  sounds  like  a  knell  unto  myself,  '  be  ye 
also  ready,  for  at  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not,  the  Son  of 
man  Cometh.^  Farewell,  my  dear  friend,  and  may  He 
who  knows  how  to  comfort  them  that  are  in  trouble,  pour 
in  the  oil  and  the  wine  into  your  broken  bleeding  heart. 
"  Your's  in  the  Lord, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

In  the  month  of  March,  1825,  Mr.  Summerfield  return- 
ed from  Baltimore  to  New- York,  in  consequence  of  the 
alarming  indisposition  of  his  father  ;  on  his  arrival  at  the 
latter  city,  he  fully  expected  soon  to  be  called  upon  to  close 
the  eyes  of  his  beloved  parent,  at  whose  bedside  he  re- 
mained day  after  day,  little  calculating  upon  the  mournful 
alternative,  which  in  the  order  of  Providence  was  soon  to 
take  place. 

At  this  time,  while  he  was  residing  with  his  family  in 
the  country  about  four  miles  from  New- York,  a  physician 
who  called  to  pay  him  a  friendly  visit,  observing  his  delicate 
state  of  health,  and  believing  the  situation  was  too  cold 
for  him,  ordered  him  to  the  town.  He  accordingly  remo- 
ved to  the  house  of  his  kind  friend  Dr.  Beekman,  in  the 


322  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

city,  where  he  was  confined  to  his  room  and  bed  about  a 
month,  after  which  he  go  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  occa- 
sionally to  ride  or  walk  out.  During  this  short  interval 
of  temporary  convalescence,  he  was  employed,  with  several 
of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  of  different  denominations, 
in  the  formation  of  The  Amercan  Tract  Society,  of 
whose  committee  he  was  a  member.  His  last  public  act 
was  an  address  at  the  first  meeting  of  this  flourishing 
Society,*  about  a  month  before  his  death.     A  few  days 

*  The  day  after  (Thursday)  was  the  anniversary  of  the  Ame- 
rican Bible  Society.  Mr.  Summerfield,  with  several  distinguished 
strangers  and  members  of  the  Society,  was  invited  to  dine  with  his 
esteemed  and  highly  respected  friend,  the  Rev.  Doctor  Milnor. 
This  invitation  occasioned  the  following  note,  in  which  there  is  a 
peculiar  interest,  when  we  reflect  that  it  was  the  last  he  ever 
wrote !  On  the  Monday  succeeding,  he  took  to  his  bed. — /.  B. 

[To  the  Rev.  Doctor  Milnor.] 

"  May  12th,  1825. 
"  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 
"  In  the  anticipated  pleasure,  which  your  invitation  to  din- 
ner to  day  inspired,  'memory  lost  her  seat  ;'  I  forgot  that  my 
diet  is  simply  bread  and  milk,  and  that  I  had  not  tasted  animal 
food  of  any  kind  for  some  months. 

"  At  your  table  I  know  I  should  see  '  as  it  were  a  great  shee'i 
let  down  at  the  four  corners,  containing' '  all  that  was  plea- 
sant for  food ;' — but  then  no  accompanying  voice  would  address 
me,  '  arise,  Peter,  kill  and  eat.' — Unwilling,  therefore,  to  appear 
singular,  and  fearing  it  might  put  you  to  inconvenience,  I  beg  of 
you  to  excuse  me,  till  we  can  enjoy  '  all  things  in  common.' 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  323 

after  this,  he  went  to  pay  his  father,  who  had  in  some  de- 
gree recovered  from  his  attack,  a  visit  prior  to  his  return 
to  Baltimore — and  little  did  he  or  his  father  think  that  this 
would  be  the  last  time  they  should  see  each  other  in  the  flesh  ! 
On  this  very  day  his  physician  was  consulted  with  respect 
to  his  intended  journey  ;  he  apprehended  from  appearan- 
ces, that  amidst  a  complication  of  complaints,  his  most  for- 
midable disease  was  a  dropsy ;  this  unexpected  diagnosis 
was  fully  confirmed,  when  next  da)r  he  took  to  his  bed — 
never  again  to  rise  from  it ! 

During  this  last  sickness,  such  was  the  violence  of  the 
disease,  and  the  consequent  effect  of  the  anodynes  which 
were  necessarily  administered,  that  he  had  but  few  lucid 
intervals.  Notwithstanding  this,  his  ideas  were  at  times 
exceedingly  sublime  ;  obscured  as  they  frequently  were 
by  the  inability  to  express  fully  what  he  meant  to  convey. 
The  bent  of  his  mind  was  very  evident ;  the  leading 
features  of  his  remarks  were,  the  glory  of  the  church  ! — 
the  prosperity  of  Zion  ! — themes  upon  which  he  had  dwelt 
with  delight,  while  in  health.  "  The  glory  of  the  church  ! 
the  glory  of  the  church  of  New- York !"  he  exclaimed : 
"  her  walls  shall  be  salvation  and  her  gates  praise  !"     He 

"  I  could  not  make  my  way  into  the  City  Hotel  this  morning 
or  I  would  have  spoken  to  you. 

"  With  kind  regard  to  Mrs.  M ,  believe  me,  very  affection- 
ately, yours, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 
"  Thursday,  3  o'clock." 


324  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

attempted  to  illustrate  the  union  subsisting  between  Bible 
and  Missionary  Societies,  by  the  most  chaste  and  beautiful 
metaphors.  One  morning,  while  enduring  great  bodily 
pain,  he  exclaimed, 

"  Cease,  fond  nature,  cease  thy  strife, 
Let  me  languish  into  life !" 

Throughout  this  severe  illness,  his  mind  generally  ap- 
peared engaged  about  heavenly  things :  on  a  subsequent 
morning,  he  drew  the  bed  curtains  aside,  and  said  to  a 
friend  who  stood  by — "  Shew  me  the  throne !  where  is  the 
throne?"  He  would  often  speak  on  the  fellowship  of 
saints  ;  and  sometimes,  he  appeared  engaged  at  a  sacra- 
mental feast. 

In  a  conversation  which  took  place  about  ten  days  after 
he  was  laid  sick,  he  remarked  to  his  kind  friend  Mrs. 
Doctor  Beekman,  that  her  "  infirmity  of  body  was  not 
less  than  his  own ;  but,"  continued  he,  "  had  you  my 
mental  sufferings  to  contend  with,  in  addition  to  your 
weakness  of  body, — perhaps  you  would  hardly  bear  it." 
— He  expressed  a  great  desire  to  be  raised  again,  if  it  were 
the  will  of  God — "  affliction,"  said  he,  "  is  not  joyous, — 
but  grievous;  for  example,  even  Christ  himself  prayed, 
that  if  it  be  possible,  '  let  this  cup  pass  from  me  ;' " — After  a 
pause,  he  emphatically  said,  "  Nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done  /"  A  deep  sense  of  his  unworthiness  seemed 
to  oppress  his  mind :  "  having  lived  so  long,"  he  said,  "  and 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  325 

to  so  little  purpose  :  oh  !"  he  added,  "  if  I  might  be  raised 
again — how  I  could  preach  !  I  could  preach  as  I  never 
preached  before — /  have  taken  a  look  into  eternity  !"  Dur- 
ing this  conversation,  the  distressing  hiccup,  from  which 
he  had  had  little  or  no  relief  for  some  days  and  nights, 
was  converted,  into  a  most  affecting  sob.  On  its  being  re- 
marked to  him  that  he  suffered  himself  to  be  too  much 
cast  down  by  this  deep  sense  of  his  own  unworthiness, — 
as  he  expressed  himself, — a  friend  spoke  to  him  of  the 
numbers  that  had  been  blessed  under  his  ministry,  some 
of  whom  were  themselves  preaching  the  gospel,  and  others 
promising  fair  to  commence  the  work  in  due  time;  besides 
many  of  whom  we  shall  never  hear.  "  Oh  !"  he  replied, 
"  say  nothing  on  that  subject :"  and  then  he  sobbed  out, 
"  Well  !  1  have  been  a  labourer  for  seven  years :"  he 
paused  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  with  emphasis  added, 
"bless  God!  I  have  at  least  served  an  appi  enticeship :" 
after  a  little  time  taken  to  recover  himself,  he  continued, 
'•  I  know  not  how  it  will  end  with  me — in  this  sickness, 
death  is  not  so  near  to  me,  as  I  could  wish  it  to  be — were 
this  to  be  my  last  sickness  :"  raising  his  hand,  he  said,  "  I 
wish  to  have  eternity  brought  before  me  as  nea/  to  my 
view  as  that ;  (looking  at  his  hand ;)  this  not  being  the 
case,  I  have  thought  it  a  presentiment  that  God  will  again 
raise  me :  'tis  singular  to  remark,"  continued  he,  "  that 
the  last  time  I  sat  down  to  prepare  a  sermon,  my  mind 
was  led  to  these  words — '  Having  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to 
be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better :'  the  sermon  just  filled 
up  the  last  volume  of  my  sermons,  and  after  closing  the 
2e 


326  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

book,  I  was  led  to  make  use  of  these  words — l  my  work 
is  doneT — yet  if  it  were  God's  will,  I  should  like  to 
preach  it !" 

It  is  worthy  of  observation  here,  that  during  his  severe 
illness  of  1822,  when  in  Philadelphia,  and  when  no  hope 
was  entertained  of  his  recovery,  that  this  text  of  scripture 
was  much  upon  his  mind — "  Having  a  desire  to  depart, 
and  to  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better — nevertheless,  to 
abide  in  the  flesh  is  more  needful  for  you."  After  dwelling 
upon  this  for  some  time,  the  latter  part  of  the  text — 
1  Nevertheless  to  abide,"  &c.  was  so  fixed  on  his  mind, 
that  he  said  to  a  friend  in  a  confident  manner,  "  this  sick- 
ness is  not  unto  death"  The  same  friend  being  with  him 
a  night  during  his  last  illness,  while  in  conversation,  Mr. 
Summerfield  said — "  Thomas,  do  you  remember  I  told 
you  in  Philadelphia  how  much  those  words — '  Having  a 
desire  to  depart,1  &c.  were  impressed  upon  my  mind  1 
you  recollect  with  what  confidence  I  informed  you  that  I 
should  recover,  from  the  latter  part  of  the  text  fastening 
upon  me  in  so  peculiar  a  manner,  '  Nevertheless,  to  abide 
in  the  flesh,'  &c.  ? — Now,"  continued  he,  "  it  is  reversed  ; 
the  latter  part  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  ;  the  former  is  alto- 
gether on  my  mind." 

On  one  occasion,  when  a  cup  was  handed  to  him  to 
take  a  drink,  he  looked  round  upon  his  friends,  many  of 
whom  surrounded  his  bed,  and  smiling  upon  them  severally, 
he  said : — 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  327 

"  On  you,  on  me,  on  all  be  given, 

The  bread  of  life,  which  conies  from  heaven." 


About  ten  days  before  his  death,  he  was  visited  by  his 
much  esteemed  friend,  Bishop  Soule.  The  interview  was 
a  most  affecting  one.  He  had  just  obtained  relief  from 
very  violent  suffering.  When  the  Bishop  entered  the  room, 
he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  him ;  the  Bishop  took  him  by  the 
hand.  For  a  few  seconds  they  silently  gazed  upon  each  other, 
when  the  Bishop  said,  "  I  trust,  John,  all  is  peace." — Being 
much  overcome,  and  after  giving  vent  to  his  feelings,  the 
suffering  saint  replied,  "  J  have  a  hope  ofichich  I  trust  I  need 
not  be  ashamed."  The  Bishop  put  up  a  most  fervent  petition, 
to  which  Mr.  Summerfield  responded  in  a  deeply  devout 
manner.  When  the  prayer  was  concluded,  he  said,  "  Bless 
the  Lord,  all  within  me  shouts  his  praise ;"  he  added, 
"  great  is  the  weakness  of  my  body."  The  Bishop  ob- 
served, "  Well,  my  dear  brother,  you  have  been  doing  the 
will  of  the  Lord,  now  you  are  suffering — so  that  in  doing 
and  suffering,  you  are  serving  the  Lord."  To  which  he 
replied,  "  I  bless  God ! — the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 
Then  taking  a  valedictory  salutation,  he  said,  "  Bishop, 
farewell !  if  I  do  not  meet  you  again  on  earth,  meet  me  in 
heaven !" 

At  another  time,  he  said,  "  I  doubt  not  but  many  will 
expect  a  dying  testimony,  but  I  know  not  how  this  may  be 
with  me  ;  I  would,  however,  give  the  answer  of  Whitfield 
to  a  female  friend  :  when  she  asked  him  what  his  dying 


328  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

testimony  would  be,  Whitfield  replied,  he  had  preached 
Christ,  a  living  testimony." 

A  few  days  before  he  breathed  his  last,  he  had  been 
taking  a  little  porter  and  water,  when  he  requested  that  no 
anodyne  might  be  administered  whenever  it  should  appear 
that  the  time  of  his  dissolution  was  approaching.  "  Admi- 
nister nothing,"  said  he,  "  that  will  create  a  stupor,  not  even 
so  much  as  a  little  porter  and  water,  as  I  wish  to  be  per- 
fectly collected,  so  that  I  may  have  an  unclouded  view" 
"  Oh  !"  said  he,  "  I  fear  not  so  much  the  consequences  of 
death,  but  nature's  last  struggle — flesh  shrinks,  when  we 
contemplate  that — when  the  spirit  is  separated  from  the 
body,  it  stands,  it  stands,  after  the  dislodgement,  trembling 
and  quivering — Oh  !  it  is  that,  it  is  that  convulsive  struggle 
which  harasses  the  mind !"  On  being  told  there  would  be 
grace  sufficient,  he  replied,  "  Well — yes — well — all  is  well" 

After  expressing  his  obligations  in  the  most  affectionate 
manner  to  all  his  friends,  many  of  whom  he  named,  and 
remarked  on  something  peculiar  in  each  of  them,  he  spoke 
of  one  for  whom  he  felt  more  than  common  interest.  "  Oh," 
said  he,  "  how  much  that  dear  friend  has  been  the  subject 
of  my  prayers  !  With  respect  to  the  things  of  this  life,  my 
God  will  reward  him — I  believe  he  will  never  lack  in  the 
store  nor  in  the  basket — 1  trust  he  will  meet  me  in  glory — 
this  is  the  subject  of  my  prayers  for  him."  He  then  said 
to  his  sister  Blackstock — "  Ellen,  my  dear,  we  have  been 
much  separated  ;  we  have  not  seen  much  of  each  other ; 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  329 

my  time  has  been  greatly  occupied  without  my  being  able 
to  enjoy  much  of  your  society— but  absence  has  never 
banished  you  from  my  mind ;  God  is  my  record  that  you 
are  daily  borne  in  the  arms  of  faith  to  the  footstool  of  his 
mercy — I  plead  there  for  each  one  of  you  by  name." 

Within  the  last  three  days  of  his  life,  he  appeared  to  be 
no  stranger  to  approaching  dissolution.  On  the  11th  of 
June,  he  requested  that  his  sister  would  have  mourning  pre- 
pared. The  day  before  he  died,  he  wished  to  change  his 
position  in  bed  :  he  pointed  toward  the  bedside,  and  spoke 
of  the  grave — he  was  at  the  same  time  exceedingly  rest- 
less, and  said,  "  I  wish  for  a  change  ;" — when  asked  what 
he  meant,  he  replied,  "  I  want  a  change,  a  change  of  form — 
a  change  of  every  thing."  Among  his  last  articulate  ex- 
pressions, was  an  attempt  to  quote  a  passage  of  scripture 
which  he  left  unfinished.  It  was  delivered  with  much 
hesitancy  — "  Al — though — sin — has — entered — "  Shortly 
afterwards  he  called  his  brother  to  his  bedside,  took  his 
hand,  and  requested  that  he  would  stay  by  him. 

About  five  o'clock  on  the  evening  preceding  his  death, 
he  called  out  in  a  surprisingly  audible  voice  for  his  sisters, 
each  by  name — "  Anne ;"  being  told  that  she  was  not 
there,  he  called  "  Amelia" — she  was  also  absent,  attending 
her  afflicted  father ;  he  then  called  "  Ellen,"  his  eldest 
sister,  who  was  present.  She  took  him  by  the  hand,  and 
reminded  him  of  the  necessary  absence  of  his  sisters  :  he 


330  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

replied,  "  Well — tell  Amelia — tell  Anne — tell  them — all's 

PERFECTION." 

In  the  course  of  the  evening,  his  sister,  thinking  that  he 
was  much  more  comfortable  than  he  had  been  for  a  few 
days  past,  (little  did  she  think  he  was  so  near  his  end  !) 
embraced  the  opportunity  of  visiting  her  anxious  parent, 
who  was  confined  to  his  bed  in  the  country.  She  returned 
about  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  with  a  message  from  him 
to  his  darling  son.  She  said,  "John,  my  dear,  your  father 
sends  his  love  to  you  :  he  desired  me  to  say,  that  you  are 
the  subject  of  his  prayers  night  and  day" — to  which  he 
made  no  reply ;  his  eyes  appeared  fixed,  but  there  was 
no  apprehension  of  his  immediate  death.  She  added, 
"  John,  my  love,  is  that  right  ?"  He  answered,  "  Certainly, 
oh  !  certainly."  Observing  that  his  cough  was  very  trou 
blesome,  she  said,  "  My  dear  John,  you  must  have  taken 
cold  from  the  windows  being  open  :"  he  said,  "  very  possi- 
ble." She  then  gave  him  a  drink,  which  was  his  last,  as 
she  was  about  to  retire  to  rest  for  a  few  hours.  She  gave 
him  a  kiss,  and  said,  "  good  night,"  to  which  he  replied, 
"  good  night  /" — these  were  his  last  words. 

From  this  time  until  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
he  appeared  in  a  comfortable  sleep,  when  a  change  was 
first  discovered  to  have  taken  place ;  his  friends  were  then 
collected,  and  remained  around  his  bed,  until,  without  a 
groan,  or  one  convulsive  struggle,  his  spirit  departed  at 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  331 

twelve  minutes  past  eleven  in  the  forenoon  of  the  13th  of 
June,  1825. 

Thus  lived,  and  thus  died,  John  Summerfield  ;  a  man 
whose  name  is  not  only  written  "  in  the  Lamb's  book  of 
life,"  and  his  piety  recorded  on  high  ; — but  one,  the  fra- 
grant memorial  of  whose  virtues  deserves  to  be  cherished 
by  the  church  below,  as  exhibiting  in  a  high  degree  the 
spirit  which  characterized  his  evangelical  namesake,  men- 
tioned in  the  gospel — even  "that  other  disciple  whom 
Jesus  loved." 

The  sensation  which  the  news  of  this  event  produced, 
wherever  the  deceased  preacher  had  been  known,  was 
deep  and  general ;  and  testimonies  of  his  piety,  his  elo- 
quence, and  the  attractiveness  of  his  entire  character,  im- 
mediately appeared  in  many  of  the  newspapers  of  the 
United  States.  To  have  transcribed  these  spontaneous 
effusions  of  respect — in  many  instances,  the  more  valua- 
ble as  coming  from  individuals  not  to  be  supposed  to  have 
any  favourable  predilections  toward  the  body  to  which  Mr. 
Summerfield  belonged — would  have  been  a  pleasing  task; 
but  that  which  constitutes  a  chief  excellency  of  the  docu- 
ments in  question,  forms  at  the  same  time  one  main  objec- 
tion to  their  repetition  in  this  place  : — they  are  almost 
uniformly  couched  in  language  at  once  laudatory  to  the 
memory  of  the  deceased,  and  honourable  to  the  feeling  of 
the  writers,  while  the  choicer  epithets  and  illustrations 
which  they  contain,  are  not  unfrequently  implicated  with 


332  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

obituary  notices  of  considerable  length.  Collectively 
therefore,  they  would  occupy  more  space,  and  present  less 
variety,  than  might  be  deemed  compatible  with  the  design 
of  the  present  work. 

On  Tuesday,  the  14th  of  June,  the  funeral  took  place. 
The  procession  being  formed,  moved  from  Dr.  Beekman's 
house  in  Courtland-street,  at  a  quarter  past  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  in  the  order  following: — Members  of  the 
Young  Men's  Missionary  Society,  of  which  Mr.  Summer- 
field  was  President — Ministers  of  various  denominations, 
six  of  whom  were  pall  bearers — the  mourners,  and  a  long 
train  of  the  friends  of  the  deceased.  The  streets  through 
which  the  procession  passed,  were  greatly  crowded  ;  a 
degree  of  seriousness  marked  every  countenance  ;  indeed 
the  public  sympathy  could  hardly  have  manifested  itself 
more  than  it  did  on  this  occasion  :  the  loss  of  a  great  and 
good  man  appeared  to  be  sensibly  felt  by  all  classes  of  the 
community. 

Arriving  at  John-street,  the  corpse  was  taken  into  the  Me- 
thodist church,  which  was  filled  to  overflowing ;  an  eloquent 
and  impressive  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  T. 
Birch ;  and  the  service  concluded  by  a  solemn  and  affect- 
ing prayer  from  the  Rev.  Henry  Chase.  The  procession 
was  then  again  formed,  and  proceeded  to  the  steamboat 
ferry ;  where  it  crossed  over  to  Brooklyn,  Long-Island  : 
here  the  corpse  was  again  taken  into  the  Methodist  church, 
when  the  Rev.  Nathan  Bangs  read  the  1 5th  chapter  of 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD. 


333 


L  Corinthians,  and  concluded  by  reading  the  burial  ser- 
vice, after  which  the  body  was  silently  committed  to  the 
grave.  His  voice,  while  living,  had  often  been  heard  in 
this  temple,  and  there  "  his  body,  precious  even  in  death, 
sleeps  near  the  spot  where  the  doctrines  of  the  Christian 
denomination  to  which  he  was  attached  were  first  preached 
in  America  : — there,  it  will  await  that  morning  of  which 
he  loved,  when  living,  to  speak,  and  of  which  he  some- 
times spoke  in  entrancing  language — the  morning  of  the 
resurrection." 

The  tombstone  over  the  grave  of  Summerfield  bears 
the  following  luminous  inscription,  written  by  the  Rev. 
J.  N.  Danforth,  of  Newcastle,  a  minister  of  the  Presby- 
terian church : 


Sacred  to  the  Memory 

of 

THE  REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD,  A.  M. 

JEt.  27. 

A  Preacher,  of  the  Methodist  Connexion,  born 

in  England — born  again  in  Ireland ; 

by  the  first  a  child  of  genius,  by  the  second  a  child  of  God 

called  to  preach  the  Gospel  at  the  age  of  nineteen. 

In  Ireland,  England,  and  America, 

himself 

the  spiritual  Father  of  a  numerous  and  happy  family. 

At  this  Tomb, 
Genius,  Eloquence,  and  Religion,  mingle  their  tears. 


334  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

Holy  in  life,  ardent  in  love,  and  incessant  in  labour, 

he  was 

to  the  Church  a  pattern,  to  sinful  men  an  angel  of  mercy ; 

to  the  world  a  blessing. 

In  him  were  rarely  combined 

gentleness  and  energy  of  character ; 

by  the  one  attracting  universal  love, 

by  the  other  diffusing  happiness  around  him. 

Singular  sweetness  and  simplicity  of  manners, 

inimitable  eloquence  in  the  pulpit, 

natural,  graceful,  and  fervent, 

rendered  him 

the  charm  of  the  social  circle,  and  the  idol  of  the  popular  assembly. 

Upon  the  lips  that  moulder  beneath  this  marble, 

thousands  hung  in  silent  wonder : 

his  element  was  not  the  breath  of  fame,  but 

the  communion  and  favour  of  God. 

He  closed  a  scene  of  patient  suffering,  and  slept  in  Jesus,  in  the 

city  of  New- York,  on  the  13th  day  of  June,  1825. 

By  faith  he  lived  on  earth  j 

in  hope  he  died ; 
by  love  he  lives  in  heaven. 

Besides  the  above  memorial,  another  monument  has 
been  dedicated  to  the  memory  of  the  lamented  Summer- 
field.  This  is  a  beautiful  cenotaph,  which  the  Young 
Men's  Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Church,  has 
erected  to  commemorate  the  virtues  of  their  late  President, 
and  their  love  for  him.  It  was  executed  by  Messrs.  Dixon 
and  Oatwell,  and  is  placed  in  the  front  of  the  church  in 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  335 

John-street,  near  the  western  corner.  The  tablet  is  of  black 
marble,  finely  polished,  in  the  shape  of  a  cone,  and  insert- 
ed in  the  wall  of  the  church.  Near  the  base  of  this,  an 
urn  is  affixed,  standing  upon  a  pedestal,  with  a  few  vo- 
lumes of  books  on  either  side.  From  one  side  of  the 
urn  a  mantle  hangs  down  in  graceful  folds,  and  at  the 
right  of  it  is  a  scroll  half  unrolled.  These  are  elegantly- 
sculptured  from  a  block  of  very  fine  and  beautiful  white 
marble.      Upon  the  tablet  in  the   centre,  the  following 

tribute,  from  the  pen  of  Bishop  Soule,  is  inscribed : — 

• 

SACRED 

to  the  Memory  of  the 
REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD,  A.  M. 

"  A  burning  and  a  shining  light." 

He  commenced  his  ministerial  labours  in  the  connexion 

of  the  Wesleyan  Methodists  in  Ireland : 

but  employed  the  last  four  years  of  his  life 

in  the  itinerant  ministry 

of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States. 

His  mind  was  stored  with  the  treasures  of  science. 

From  a  child  he  knew  the  holy  scriptures. 

Meekness  and  humility, 

united  with  extraordinary  intellectual  powers, 

exhibited  in  his  character  a  model 

of  christian  and  ministerial  excellence. 

His  perception  of  truth  was  clear  and  comprehensive ; 

his  language  pure, 

and  his  action  chaste  and  simple. 


336  MEMOIRS  OP  THE 

The  learned  and  the  illiterate  attended  his  ministry 

with  admiration, 

and  felt  that  his  preaching  was 

in  the  demonstration  of  the  spirit  and  of  power. 

Distinguished  by  the  patience  of  hope, 

and  the  labour  of  love, 

he  finished  his  course  in  peace  and  triumph. 

Born  in  Preston,  England,  Jan.  31st,  179S. 

Died  in  this  city,  June  13th,  1825. 

Beneath  the  ^ablet,  upon  the  base  of  the  black  marble 
ground  work,  is  the  following  inscription: — 

u  This  monument  was  erected  by  the  'Young  Men's  Missionary 
Society,'  of  which  the  deceased  was  President,  with  sincere 
prayer  that  the  ardour  of  his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Missions  may 
live  in  his  successors,  when  this  marble  shall  moulder  into  dust." 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  337 


SECTION  XVIII. 

General  concluding  observations. 

The  foregoing  narrative  will,  it  may  be  presumed,  have 
but  little  ambiguity,  as  to  most,  if  any  parts,  of  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield's  character  and  proceedings.  Open,  indeed,  and 
transparent  as  were  all  his  actions,  there  are  no  difficulties 
to  be  reconciled,  no  doubts  to  be  cleared  away ;  and  happily 
it  may  with  equal  truth  be  added,  that  so  obviously  and 
continually  was  the  spiritual  purity  of  his  motives  reflected 
in  his  private  as  well  as  public  life,  that  candour  does  not 
impose  on  his  biographer  the  ungracious  task  of  seeking,  by 
extenuation  or  apology,  to  colour  a  single  particular  of  his 
ministerial  career.  If  apology  be  necessary  in  any  quarter, 
the  present  writer  feels  that  it  is  rather  due  from  himself  to 
those  venerable  men,  ministers  and  others,  who  may  hap- 
pen to  peruse  these  pages,  for  his  remarks  incidentally 
made  on  the  details  of  Mr.  Summerfield's  religious 
experience. 

This  is  delicate  ground,  and  the  writer  trusts  he  has 
trodden  it  as  delicately,  as  circumspectly,  and  at  the  same 
time,  as  scripturally,  and  methodistically,  as  possible.  The 
2p 


338  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

susceptible  subject  of  these  memoirs  undoubtedly  received 
in  Ireland,  that  clear  sense  of  pardon,  justification,  and  ac- 
ceptance with  God,  to  which  he  ever  afterwards  referred 
as  his  spiritual  birth ;  and  yet,  in  the  further  and  future 
work  of  sanctification,  the  light  of  spiritual  illumination  in 
him  (whatever  may  have  been  the  case  in  others)  did  not 
uninterruptedly  shine "  brighter  and  brighter  unto  the  perfect 
day ;"  but  clouds  and  darkness  frequently  intercepted  the 
rays  of  that  sun  of  righteousness,  which  had  so  evidently 
arisen  on  his  soul.  Indeed,  the  Lord  seems  to  have  led 
his  servant,  not  with  the  shadow  by  day,  and  the  glory  by 
night,  of  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire,  but  alternately  amidst 
•perpetual  natural  gloom,  presenting  to  him  the  light  of  the 
flame  that  cheered  the  Israelites  on  the  verge  of  the  Red 
sea,  and  the  darkness  behind,  that  frowned  upon  the  Egyp 
tians,  their  pursuers.  But  God,  who  is  "  love,"  was  equally 
present  in  the  splendour  and  the  terror  to  him — in  the 
hidings  as  in  the  revealings  of  his  face — and  by  that  mys 
terious  dispensation,  we  cannot  doubt,  led  him,  as  the  best 
mode  of  guidance,  through  the  sea  and  the  wilderness, 
over  Jordan  to  Canaan  and  Jerusalem,  which  is  above. 

Perhaps  the  movement  least  explicitly  accounted  foi, 
especially  as  to  the  suddenness  of  it,  may  be  Mr.  Summer 
field's  emigration  from  Ireland  to  America.  I  have  re- 
served for  this  place,  in  preference  to  interrupting  the  nar 
rative  elsewhere,  the  introduction  of  a  passage  from  his 
diary,  written  at  Marseilles,  in  February,  1823.  After 
some  solemn  reflections  upon  his  removal  from  Europe,  and 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  339 

settlement  in  the  "new' world,"  which  he  observes  will 
not  only  operate  upon  the  whole  of  his  future  exis- 
tence in  time,  but  with  respect  to  himself,  run  into  eternity, 
he  proceeds : 

"  Circumstances  of  various  kinds,  and  a  strange  coinci- 
dence of  events,  which  could  only  be  resolved  into  the 
leadings  of  a  providential  hand,  fully  confirmed  in  my  dear 
and  honoured  father,  a  conviction  he  had  long  experienced, 
that  America  was  henceforward  to  become  our  home.  My 
eldest  sister's  having  married  and  removed  to  that  country, 
several  years  before,  had  always  since  that  time  been  re- 
garded by  him  as  an  earnest,  or  rather  a  pledge,  that  the 
removal  of  the  whole  family  would  succeed  sooner  or  later. 

"Having  in  the  autumn  of  1820  finished  his  engage- 
ment as  the  manager  of  a  certain  establishment  in  the 
city  of  Cork,  and  finding  no  opening  into  which  he  might 
enter  in  that  city,  and  thereby  provide  things  honest  in  the 
sight  of  all  men — although  he  sought  for  it  with  all  dili- 
gence, connected  with  incessant  prayer  by  night  and  day — 
he  paused,  and  began  to  consider  this  as  the  time  to  which 
he  had  so  long  looked  forward.  Having  exercised  the 
strictest  economy  over  all  his  domestic  concerns,  since 
his  engagement  in  that  city,  and  thereby  recruited  his  im- 
poverished circumstances,  he  now  found  that  he  was  pos- 
sessed of  the  means,  and  but  barely  the  means,  of  transport 
ing  us  to  the  United  States ;  and  fearing  that  these  means 
would  so  consume  away  by  much  procrastination,  as  to 


340  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

render  it  impracticable  perhaps  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  he  immediately  concluded,  after  agonizing  prayer  to 
the  Father  of  Lights  to  direct  him,  to  prepare  to  quit  his 
native  land.  A  vessel  having  put  into  the  port  of  Cork  by 
stress  of  weather,  presented  an  opportunity  which  seldom 
occurs  there.  As  the  place  of  her  destination  was  the  re- 
sidence of  my  brother  and  sister  in  America,  we  regarded 
it  as  the  last  preparatory  step  by  which  the  kind  providence 
of  God  had  led  us  on.  Preliminaries  adjusted,  we  bade 
adieu  to  Ireland,  and  to  Europe,  on  the  12th  of  December, 
1820,  and  arrived  in  New- York  the  17th  of  March  follow- 
ing, having  first  sailed  to  Portugal  to  take  in  cargo.  Our 
numbers  were,  two  sons,  two  daughters,  my  dear  and  only 
parent,  and  a  servant-maid. 

"  As  regards  myself,  independent  of  a  father's  com- 
mands, which  were  laid  upon  me,  I  too  regarded  the  con- 
nexion of  preceding  events,  which  transpired  in  my 
ministerial  labours,  as  no  other  than  the  leadings  of  the 
same  God,  who 

'  Plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 
And  rides  upon  the  storm !' 

•*  My  public  duties  in  Ireland,  for  the  two  years  previous, 
had  greatly  impaired,  if  not  totally  ruined,  my  health — my 
journal  for  that  period  will  bear  ample  testimony  thereto  ; — 
this,  added  to  the  general  humidity  of  the  country,  rendered 
some  change  necessary,  if  my  life  was  to  be  preserved. 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERF1ELD.  341 

For  this  purpose,  among  others,  I  visited  England  in  May, 
1 820,  and  remained  there  till  after  the  Liverpool  Confe- 
rence in  the  July  and  August  following ; — my  hope  was, 
that  through  the  interference  of  many  of  the  English 
preachers,  with  whom,  in  the  interval  I  had  become  ac- 
quainted, I  might  be  removed  from  Ireland  to  the  air  of 
my  own  country,  and  that  the  change  would  have  a 
favourable  effect  upon  my  constitution ;  as  also  that  my 
labours  would  be  greatly  reduced, — a  measure  which  my 
situation  at  the  time  imperiously  demanded.  But  notwith- 
standing the  efforts  which  were  made,  and  the  petition  of 
the  Manchester  Society  for  me  to  be  sent  to  them,  the 
Irish  representative,  brother  Tobias,  refused  to  give  con- 
sent to  my  removal,  without  which  consent,  the  British 
Conference  could  do  nothing.  At  the  same  time  knowing 
how  tender  and  affecting  were  the  ties  by  which  I  was 
bound  to  the  scene  of  my  past  labours,  and  my  past  afflic- 
tions too, — Tie  foiled  not  to  use  every  persuasion  with  me  ; 
in  this  lie  succeeded  too  well, — I  gave  up  my  intention,  and 
returned  to  Ireland,  to  the  city  of  Cork,  where  the  Confe- 
rence of  the  If  ish  brethren  had  stationed  me  at  their  pre- 
ceding session  during  my  absence  in  England." 

It  is  a  striking  proof  of  Summerfield's  sincere  devotion 
to  God  and  his  cause,  tliat  (in  obedience  to  his  father's 
commands,  as  appears  above)  he  cheerfully  accompanied  his 
parent  to  America,  leaving  all  his  prospects  in  Ireland  and 
England  behind,  though  he  had  arrived  at  perilous  popu- 
larity in  the  former,  and  was  most  temptingly  pressed  to 
2f2 


342  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

settle  in  the  latter  country, — the  fields,  in  which  ambition 
in.  the  shape  of  Methodist  preaching,  would  choose  above 
all  the  world  beside,  to  shine,  in  its  own  vain  glory  ; — nay, 
in  which  the  honest  and  conscientious  man  of  gifts  and 
graces,  might  justifiably  deem  that  he  would  be  the  most 
usefully  employed.  This,  then,  was  forsaking  all,  deny- 
ing himself,  and  taking  up  his  cross  to  follow  Christ. 

It  will  have  been  observed  that,  throughout  the  preceding 
pages,  every  allusion  to  Mr.  Summerfield's  father  recog- 
nises him  as  a  professor  of  that  vital  godliness,  which  so 
remarkably  distinguished  his  son.  He  was,  however,  a  man 
of  warm  feelings  and  sanguine  temperament ;  and  these, 
as  I  have  already  intimated,  led  him  frequently  to  miscal- 
culate the  results  of  his  own  upright  intentions,  when  they 
failed  to  accord  with  that  worldly  prudence  which  is  so 
generally,  and  in  most  cases  so  justly  the  parent  of  success 
in  temporal  affairs.  But  that  his  moral  integrity,  or  his 
religious  sincerity,  were  justly  impeachable,  I  have  yet  to 
learn ;  and  therefore,  as  the  biographer  of  the  son,  who 
constantly  blesses  God  for  such  a  father,  and  whose  filial 
obedience  is  one  of  the  brightest  jewels  in  his  crown  of 
holiness,  I  should  hold  myself  utterly  unworthy  of  having 
been  intrusted  with  the  delineation  of  his  character,  did  I 
not  express  my  conscientious  conviction,  that  the  maai 
from  whose  diary  the  following  extracts  are  taken,  is  wor- 
thy of  being  remembered  in  the  parental  relation  witla 
him  to  whom  they  refer  : — 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  343 

"  May  26th,  1825.  For  the  last  three  days  my  mind 
has  been  kept  in  peace,  resting  in  God  according  to  his 
word  ;  though  at  times  awfully  concerned  respecting  John's 
affliction,  which  I  fear  is  unto  death,  and  lest  his  mind 
should  not  be  happy  in  God. — I  was  much  relieved  this 

morning  ;  being  informed  that  brother  W had  visited 

him,  as  I  had  requested,  and  had  been  a  great  comfort  to 
his  mind.     Thanks  be  to  God  for  this  ! 
*.- 

"  May  30.  My  mind,  in  general,  has  been  at  rest,  as 
much  as  could  be  expected,  considering  my  dear  John's 
affliction;  he  being  now  upon  the  eve  of  time  in  the 
midst  of  the  most  promising  usefulness.  How  mysterious 
are  the  ways  of  God  !  but  he  sees  the  end  from  the  be- 
ginning, and  does  all  things  well. 

"  Dear  Doctor  Baker  and  his  wife  have  come  all  the 
way  from  Baltimore  to  see  my  dear  John ;  how  kind  their 
hearts  !  God  bless  them,  and  all  his  friends. 

"  June  7th.  There  is  a  prospect  of  John's  recovery, 
consequently  I  am  more  composed — oh,  that  this  severe 
affliction  may  be  sanctified  to  his  good,  and  that  of  all  my 
family — the  Lord  deals  kindly  with  me,  in  my  affliction 
being  made  tolerable. 

ll  June  17th.  For  the  last  ten  days,  my  mind  has  been  kept 
In  hourly  suspense.  My  dear  John  departed  this  life  on 
Monday,  the  13th  of  June,  and  was  interred  the  next 


344  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

day  beside  his  friend  the  Rev.  W.  Ross. — From  the  ac- 
counts I  have  received,  I  have  every  reason  to  thank  God 
for  his  safe  arrival  in  heaven,  where  I  hope  to  meet  him 
soon,  and  all  my  dear  children  that  are  left  behind :  I 
thank  God  for  giving  me  such  a  son ;  may  his  death 
speak  louder  than  all  his  preaching. — Lord,  prepare  me  to 
follow  him  to  thy  kingdom  !" 

Few  ministers  in  America  ever  attained  a  higher  degree 
of  popularity  than  John  Summerfleld  ;  and  no  man  ever 
courted  it  less :  it  commenced  with  his  first  sermon,  and 
continued  to  the  end  of  his  short  life.  It  would  be  worse 
than  affectation  to  insinuate  that  he  was  insensible  to,  or 
even  that  he  undervalued  the  homage  paid  to  his  talents  j 
but  really  when  we  reflect  upon  his  youth,  it  seems  little 
less  than  a  miracle  that  he  should  have  been  so  wholly 
preserved  from  the  pernicious  influence  of  popular  praise. 
Modesty  and  humility  were  prominent  traits  in  his  cha- 
racter ;  this  was  universally  admitted :  the  Rev.  W.  Nevins, 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Baltimore,  says  in  a  letter,  "  I 
have  been  astonished  that  in  all  my  intercourse  with  Sum 
merfield,  I  never  heard  any  thing  from  him,  even  by  acci- 
dent, that  savoured  of  vanity  ; — he  was  literally  clothed 
with  humility, — nor  was  the  garment  scanty.  What  po- 
pular preacher  but  he,  ever  passed  before  the  world,  with- 
out being  at  least  accused  of  affectation  1 — That  he  was,  I 
never  heard." 

He  liked  to  preach  in  a  church  where  there  was  a  ves- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  345 

try,  into  which  he  could  retire  immediately  after  service ; 
where  that  was  not  the  case,  as  often  happens  in  America, 
he  has  sometimes  felt  it  severely,  and  been  so  discomposed, 
and  dissatisfied  with  himself,  as  to  wish  that  there  was 
a  trap  door  in  the  pulpit  through  which  he  might  escape. 
If  he  attended  the  preaching  of  others,  he  preferred  an 
obscure  place  among  the  congregation,  as  he  did  not  like 
to  attract  observation.  It  was  a  pleasing  trait  in  his  cha- 
racter, that  he  would  willingly  listen  to  any  advice  that 
might  be  given  by  a  friend — and  some  would  undertake 
to  find  fault  with  little  things  ;  for  instance,  when  he  arri- 
ved in  America,  he  wore  a  gold  seal  to  his  watch,  which  he 
soon  found  was  an  eyesore  to  some  ;  he  therefore  promptly 
laid  it  aside  ;  and  the  like  of  a  plaid  cloak  which  he  got, 
as  he  would  not,  he  said,  offend  one  of  the  weakest  of  his 
brethren. 

The  preparation  which  he  generally  made  for  the  pulpit 
was  as  follows :  he  would  draw  a  rough  outline  of  a  ser- 
mon on  a  sheet  or  half  sheet  of  paper ;  and  after  preaching 
it,  determine  whether  or  not  it  was  worthy  of  being  tran- 
scribed into  his  book  of  sermons  ;  if  it  satisfied  him,  he 
would  enter  it  into  his  book  the  next  day.  Many  persons 
would  doubtless  expect  to  meet,  in  a  work  of  this  nature, 
with  some  specimens  of  those  discourses  which  produced 
such  wonderful  effects  :  nor  should  they  have  been  disap- 
pointed, had  it  appeared  that  the  present  writer,  by  copying, 
or  filling  up  one  or  more  of  the  sketches  left  by  the  preacher, 
could  have  done  any  thing  like  justice  to  that  extraordinary 


346  MEMOIRS   OP    THE 

felicity  with  which  his  own  viva  voce  eloquence  filled  up 
the  prescribed  outline.  Such  an  attempt,  however,  would 
only  exhibit  a  gratuitous  failure ;  indeed,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent, the  utmost  fidelity  of  the  pen,  even  of  the  author  him- 
self, would  have  conveyed  as  inadequate  an  idea  of  the 
fascinations  of  his  tongue,  and  the  overflowings  of  his 
heart,  as  an  indifferent  reporter  might  happen  to  do  of 
either.  He  has  indeed  left  one  published  discourse,  which 
as  little  invalidates  the  latter,  as  I  fear  the  present  work 
may  the  former  clause  of  the  following  remark : — "  I  almost 
compassionate  the  biographer  of  Summerfield,  however 
great  his  graphic  talents  may  be,"  says  Mr.  Nevins,  "  for 
I  anticipate  that  the  best  written  memoir  of  him,  will  be  to 
the  living,  speaking,  and  acting  Summerfield,  very  much 
what  his  best  printed  discourse  was  to  the  unwritten  elo- 
quence that  he  used  to  pour  forth  from  his  heart,  in  his 
most  ordinary  sermons — for  the  eloquence  of  our  friend  was 
pre-eminently  that  of  the  heart.  It  was  the  oratory  of 
nature — and  I  have  often  remarked,  that  in  any  age,  in 
any  country,  in  any  language,  and  under  all  circum- 
stances, he  would  have  been  the  same  magic  master  of  the 
human  heart,  that  we  felt  him  to  be." 

Let  it  not,  however,  be  hence  inferred  by  any  who  never 
heard  him  preach,  that  the  sermons  which  delighted  and 
edified  such  unprecedentedly  large  congregations,  were 
deficient  in  theological  excellency — quite  the  reverse.  I 
have  before  me  one  of  the  precious  volumes  of  manuscript 
sermons,  above  alluded  to ;  it  is  a  beautiful  autograph  of 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  347 

his  piety  and  industry,  and  many  of  those  happy  combina- 
tions of  thought,  those  luminous  expositions  of  the  doctrines 
of  the  gospel,  and  those  judicious  illustrations  of  the  faith 
and  practice  of  Christianity,  which  formed  the  substrata  of 
his  eloquent  discourses.  But,  however  crowded  and  intel- 
ligible the  contractions  in  the  writing,  it  will  readily  be 
conceived  that  sketches  is  a  proper  epithet  to  designate  a 
collection  of  the  outlines  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-six 
sermons,  comprised  in  seventy-four  post  8vo  pages. 

To  the  question  which  may  naturally  occur  here — what 
then  were  the  predominating  qualities  of  Mr.  Summerfield's 
mind?  The  answer  ought  unequivocally  to  be,  good 
sense,  and  good  taste — qualities  most  rarely  found  in 
combination  wTith  fervency  of  feeling,  and  a  spontaneous 
eloquence.  To  say  that  he  was  not  a  man  of  genius,  in 
the  true  import  of  the  term,  would  be  to  deny  the  whole 
testimony  of  his  life  ;  while  to  assert  that  that  genius  was 
of  the  very  highest  order,  would  be  to  substitute  exaggera- 
tion for  fact.  I  have  before  me  the  following  sentence  in 
the  hand-writing  of  Mr.  Montgomery  : — "  Summerfield." 
says  the  poet,  "  had  intense  animal  feeling,  and  much  of 
morbid  imagination  ;  but  of  poetic  feeling  and  poetic  imagi- 
nation, very  little — at  least,  there  is  very  little  trace  of 
either  in  any  thing  that  he  has  left,  beyond  a  few  vivid  but 
momentary  flashes  in  his  sermons." 

His  personal  appearance,  although  not  particularly 
striking  on  ordinary  occasions,  was  allowed  by  universal 


348  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

consent  to  be  extremely  fascinating  in  the  pulpit.  His 
countenance,  when  in  tolerable  health,  was  one  of  the 
most  lovely  description,  yet  had  it  at  the  same  time  an  ex- 
pression of  calmness  and  solemnity  not  common  with  one 
so  young.  The  Rev.  J.  Danforth,  a  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, in  a  generous,  judicious,  and  eloquent  obituary  notice 
of  his  friend,  observes  : — "  But  he  had  his  inspiration  ;  and 
then  it  [his  discourse]  was — not  splendid,  nor  magnificent, 
nor  overpowering — but  simple,  pure,  gentle,  and  heavenly, 
even  to  a  degree  of  sublimity,  and  certainly  to  such  a  de- 
gree as  I  believe  is  rarely  connected  with  mortality.  His 
eye,  which,  like  his  countenance,  possessed,  on  your  near 
approach  to  him  for  the  first  time,  nothing  positively 
agreeable,  assumed  a  dark  hue  in  the  pulpit ;  and  as  to 
the  rest  of  his  face,  if  you  wished  to  see  meekness  itself 
embodied  in  human  form,  there  it  was  in  Summerfield,  as 
he  stood  in  the  sacred  desk,  the  messenger  of  the  Lamb  of 
God — in  his  face,  and  attitude,  and  manner — in  every 
smile  of  rapture  that  lighted  up,  and  every  shade  of  melan- 
choly that  passed  across  his  features.  He  never  used  notes 
in  the  desk,  and  even  smiled  sometimes  at  the  practice. 
He  was,  however,  systematic,  and  was  continually  inter- 
weaving ScriDture,  in  the  most  natural  and  graceful  man- 
ner, with  the  thread  of  his  discourse.  His  mind  seemed  to 
be  stored,  his  very  spirit  to  be  imbued,  with  the  word  of 
God.  It  dwelt  richly  in  him  in  all  wisdom  and  spiritual 
understanding.  He  preached  from  fifty  minutes  to  an 
hour — too  long  for  his  feeble  and  wasting  frame." 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  349 

It  has  frequently  been  said,  that  no  person  ever  did  so 
much  in  the  United  States  towards  destroying  sectarian 
bigotry,  as  Mr.  Summerfield.  Every  sincere  preacher  of 
the  gospel  was  to  him  a  brother ;  and  those  of  almost 
every  denomination  invited  him  in  turn  to  preach  for  them. 
Immediately  on  his  arrival,  on  one  occasion,  at  one  of  the 
principal  cities,  he  was  waited  upon  by  a  number  of  gen- 
tlemen of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  to  express  a  de- 
sire that  he  should  preach  in  one  of  their  houses.  With 
this  request  he  stated  his  willingness  to  comply,  provided  the 
consent  of  the  Bishop  could  be  obtained.  The  Bishop  was 
consulted,  but  declined  acquiescing — observing,  that  he 
greatly  regarded  Mr.  Summerfield  as  a  man,  and  esteemed 
him  as  a  miuister,  but  that  the  canon  of  the  church  pre- 
vented his  consent,  however  much  he  might  himself  be 
pleased  to  hear  the  young  man  preach.  Being  informed 
of  this,  Mr.  S.  pleasantly  replied — "  Well,  it  matters  not ; 
but  I  have  always  thought  it  was  usual  to  spike  the  can- 
non in  times  of  peace." 

The  following  letter  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Abercrombie,  an 
eminent  minister  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  to  Mr.  Summer 
field,  is  equally  honourable  to  the  writer  and  the  receiver. 
It  is  dated  Philadelphia,  June  1st,  1822  : — "  Rev.  and  dear 
Sir  :  The  very  powerful  impression  which  the  exercise  of 
your  ministry  in  this  city  has  made  upon  the  hearts  of 
many  of  your  hearers,  induces  me  thus  to  express  a  most 
ardent  wish  on  their  behalf,  that  you  would  soon  indulge  us 
with  another  visit,  that  you  may  confirm  and  render  inde- 
2g 


$50  MEMOIRS   OF    THE 

lible  that  happy  effect.  Much  of  the  good  seed  has  fallen 
among  thorns,  and  will,  I  fear,  become  choaked,  and  un- 
fruitful, unless  invigorated  and  nourished  by  your  refresh- 
ing agency.  Your  exertions  among  us,  Sir,  have  been 
blessed  with  great  success  in  awakening  many  sleeping, 
and  alarming  many  careless  professors  of  Christianity  ; 
and  as  a  brother  labourer,  though  a  very  feeble  one,  in  the 
vineyard  of  our  heavenly  Master,  I  can  no  longer  resist 
addressing  to  you  the  solicitation  given  to  St.  Paul — '  Come 
over  into  Macedonia,  and  help  us' — your  '  heart's  desire 
and  prayer  to  God  for  sinners,  is,  that  they  may  be  saved, 
and  as  the  talents  intrusted  to  you  have  been  happily  irr> 
proved  among  us,  I  trust  that  you  will  be  permitted  by 
divine  providence  to  establish  the  good  work  which  you 
have  begun,  and  carry  it  on  to  perfection.  Your  sincerity 
and  zeal  as  a  Christian,  and  your  urbanity  as  a  gentleman, 
will,  I  am  confident,  induce  you  to  pardon  this  intrusion 
upon  your  time  and  attention.  As  it  is  generally  known 
I  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  being  acquainted  with  you,  I  am 
frequently  asked,  when  will  Mr.  Summerfield  favour  us 
with  another  visit?  How,  my  good  Sir,  shall  I  answer 
this  question  ?  With  unfeigned  respect  and  esteem,  I  am, 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  your  affectionate  friend  and  brother  in 
Christ,  James  Abercrombie." 

It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  introduce  an  anecdote, 
which  has  frequently  been  repeated,  from  versions  more  or 
less  correct.  It  is  substantially  as  follows :  While  Mr. 
Summerfield  was  lying  in  bed,  during  one  of  his  illnesses, 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  351 

he  was  visited  by  two  highly  respectable  clergymen,  one  of 
whom,  commiserating  his  early  subjection  to  such  extreme 

suffering  in  consequence  of  his  ministerial  labours,  inquired, 

» 

"  how  old  are  you  !"  To  the  astonishment  of  the  divine, 
the  suffering  saint  replied — "I  was  born  at  Preston,  in 
England,  in  1798,  and  born  again  at  Dublin,  in  Ireland, 
in  1817."  The  visiter  expressed  at  once  his  surprise  and 
curiosity,  at  what  to  him  was  so  strange  a  declaration. 
Mr.  Summerfield.  no  less  excited,  with  great  propriety,  ex- 
claimed in  the  language  of  Jesus  to  Nicodemus,  "  Art  thou 
a  master  in  Israel,  and  knowest  not  these  things?"  and 
then  related  to  them  the  history  of  his  own  conversion. 
The  sequel  is  gratifying :  The  reverend  gentleman,  after 
departing,  inquired  of  his  clerical  companion  whether  or 
not  he  knew  any  thing  about  this  strange  doctrine,  and 
finding  that  he  too  was  a  subject  of  the  same  happy 
change,  set  himself  to  obtain  the  like  blessing,  with  a  sin- 
cerity and  success  of  which  his  subsequent  ministrations 
bore  satisfactory  testimony. 

Summerfield  was  commendably  particular  with  regard 
to  his  person  ;  plain,  but  remarkably  neat ;  indeed,  care- 
lessness in  any  respect  did  not  belong  to  him — he  equally 
disliked  slovenliness  and  finery  in  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
justly  holding  that  every  thing  ought  to  correspond  with  the 
dignity  and  importance  of  his  office. 

In  private  life  he  was  as  much  beloved,  as  he  was  ad- 
mired in  his  public  character.  "  There  was,"  says  a  minis- 


352  MEMOIRS    OF    THE 

terial  friend,  "something  unearthly  about  the  man — and 
yet  he  was  a  man,  and  as  affable  and  condescending,  as  if, 
to  use  his  own  expression,  he  was  '  the  servant  of  all.'  Any 
one  who  was  disposed  to  complain  of  his  being  too  much 
the  subject  of  conversation,  (justly  or  unjustly,)  or  of  his 
being  a  youth  unworthy  of  such  premature  celebrity,  forgot 
it  all  after  sitting  down  a  few  minutes  in  his  company." 
There  was  something  so  endearing  and  truly  affectionate 
in  his  manners,  that  it  was  no  wonder  his  company  was 
courted  by  all  ranks. 

In  conversation,  he  was  chaste,  lively,  and  sometimes 
facetious  ;  prolific  of  anecdotes  and  remarks  of  a  religious 
tendency.  He  had,  in  astonishing  perfection,  the  faculty  of 
remembering  names  ;  it  mattered  not  how  large  a  family 
he  might  visit,  should  there  be  a  dozen  children,  he  would 
inquire  the  names  of  each,  and  would  ever  afterward  re- 
member them  by  name,  even  to  the  servants. 

Mr.  Summerfield,  as  before  noticed,  was  fond  of  preach- 
ing to  children,  and  in  these  services  his  manner  was  pecu- 
liarly engaging.  It  was  a  delightful  scene,  to  witness  his 
appearance  on  these  occasions  :  himself  like  a  boy  among 
his  juniors,  leaning  gracefully  over  the  pulpit,  in  a  manner 
best  comporting  with  the  familiar  and  affectionate  style  of 
his  address — his  juvenile  auditory  occupying  the  body  of 
the  church,  and  listening  with  the  most  steady  attention  to 
their  ingenuous  teacher.  Occasionally  he  put.  questions  to 
them,  and  would  encourage  oral  answers,  and  tell  them 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  353 

what  his  next  subject  would  be,  that  they  might  be  pre- 
pared to  reply  to  his  interrogatories.  His  scope  and  illus- 
trations, were  sometimes  so  happily  appropriate,  that  the 
children  would  remember  nearly  a  whole  sermon.  After 
enforcing  most  sweetly,  on  one  occasion,  the  text — "  They 
that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me,"  he  said — "  are  there 
any  of  my  dear  little  hearers  who  will  pledge  themselves 
to  meet,  me  to-morrow  morning  at  the  throne  of  grace  ?" — 
several  immediately  replied,  "  I  will."  He  endeavoured  to 
excite  a  missionary  spirit  in  the  children,  and  introduced 
among  them  the  "  'Tis  But"  box,  that  they  might  save  a 
few  cents  for  so  good  a  cause.  In  1822,  he  wrote  an  in- 
genious juvenile  speech,  which  was  delivered  by  an  interest- 
ing boy,  eleven  years  of  age,  proposing  a  missionary  resolu- 
tion, (which  Mr.  Summerfield  himself  seconded,)  the  little 
fellow  presenting  at  the  same  time,  as  the  representative  of 
the  other  children,  the  sum  of  four  hundred  and  ten  dollars. 

In  his  love  of  children,  he  resembled  Mr.  Wesley :  it 
was  pleasing,  on  some  occasions,  to  see  the  little  ones 
crowd  about  the  altar,  before  leaving  church,  each  anxious 
to  be  noticed  by  him.  He  would  sometimes  from  the  pul- 
pit invite  them  to  call  upon  him  at  his  lodgings,  to  which 
they  repaired  in  groups,  when  he  would  leave  his  study 
and  spend  some  time  familiarly  with  them.  Children 
from  all  parts  of  the  city,  would  bring  their  little  Hymn 
books,  for  him  to  insert  their  names,  which  he  usually  did, 
accompanied  with  some  suitable  remark  or  motto.  Among 
2g  2  45 


354  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 

the  numerous  instances  of  his  attention  to  the  lambs  of 
Christ's  flock,  occurs  the  following  : — a  boy,  about  eleven 
years  of  age,  after  one  of  the  sermons  to  children,  remain- 
ed till  the  congregation  had  nearly  dispersed,  when  he 
attracted  Mr.  Summerfield's  notice ;  stepping  forward,  he 
eaid,  "  my  little  boy,  do  you  Avant  any  thing  with  me  ?" — 
he  appeared  overcome  with  his  feelings,  and  could  only 
say  "  Mr.  Summerfield" — "  Well,  my  love,  what  do  you 
want  with  Mr.  Summerfield?"  the  boy,  encouraged,  said 
he  wished  Mr.  Summerfield  would  call  at  his  mother's  :  on 
inquiring  where  his  mother  lived,  the  name  of  the  street, 
and  the  number  of  the  house,  were  given.  "  What  is  your 
name?" — "  John  Brown,"  replied  the  boy  :  "  Well,  John 
Brown,  to-morrow,  at  11  o'clock,  I  shall  pay  you  a  visit." 
Accordingly,  at  the  time  appointed,  Mr.  Summerfield 
waited  upon  him  ;  he  found  John  busily  employed  sweep- 
ing and  fixing  the  fire,  and  preparing  for  his  visiter. 
"  Well,  John,  here  I  am,  according  to  my  appointment." — 
John  requested  him  to  take  a  seat,  until  he  had  found  his 
mother — she  was  a  pious  woman,  and  said  that  her  son 
had  heard  him  preach,  whenever  he  had  addressed  the 
children,  and  that  his  mind  had  been  much  impressed  in 
consequence.  Mr.  Summerfield  knelt  down  and  prayed 
with  them  ;  and  before  he  went  away,  encouraged  John, 
and  gave  him  some  good  advice  ;  entered  his  name  on  the 
list  of  those  for  whom  he  felt  a  peculiar  interest,  and  told 
him  that  he  should  keep  his  eye  upon  him  ;  requesting 
him  to  come  and  speak  to  him  whenever  he  had  an  oppor- 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD.  355 

tunity,  that  he  might  ascertain  what  progress  his  little 
friend  John  Brown  was  making.  Carping  criticism,  or 
cold  philosophy,  may  despise  these  little  traits,  but  minis- 
terial wisdom  will  not. 

After  Mr.  Summerfield's  severe  illness  in  Philadelphia, 
in  1822,  when  he  had  just  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able 
to  ride  out,  he  stopped  to  visit  a  pious  presbyterian  lady, 
who,  like  himself,  had  been  on  the  threshold  of  eternity. 
In  the  course  of  conversation,  she  inquired — "  Mr.  Sum- 
merfield. what  were  your  peculiar  views  and  feelings  at 
that  solemn  moment,  which  it  was  thought  would  be  your 
last  ?" — Mr.  Summerfield  said  that  he  felt  an  indescribable 
peace,  subduing  peace — "  If  (continued  he)  I  had  at  that 
moment  given  utterance,  it  would  have  been  peace  !  peace  ! 
— I  felt  as  though  the  spirit  were  waiting  for  the  word 
'  come1 — as  though  it  were  soaring  !  I  looked  back  upon 
the  earth,  and  I  discovered  that  there  Avere  two  slender  cords 
which  held  me — the  church  and  my  family — but  I  felt  that 
even  these  could  give  way."  After  a  pause,  he  added, 
"  perhaps  it  may  be  thought  strange,  but  I  have  never 
desired  that  mine  should  be  the  triumphant  end ;  singulai 
to  say,  I  have  ever  coveted  the  end  of  peace — peace — 
peace , 


/» 


Before  he  left  Baltimore  the  last  time,  and  but  a  few 
weeks  previous  to  his  death,  Mr.  Summerfield  was  waited 
upon  by  a  committee  of  ladies  from  the  Orphan  Asylum 


356  MEMOIRS    OF   THE 

requesting  him  to  plead  the  cause  of  their  institution.  He 
informed  them  that  the  state  of  his  health  was  such  as 
to  preclude  him  from  many  duties  connected  with  his 
own  church  ;  at  the  same  time  expressing  much  regret  at 
not  being  able  to  comply  with  their  earnest  solicitation. 
One  of  the  ladies  thereupon  said — "  Mr.  Summerfield, 
promise  that  on  your  return  from  New- York,  in  the  course 
of  the  spring,  you  will  suffer  us  to  have  a  claim  on  you  ?" 
— raising  his  eyes  heavenward,  and  clasping  his  hands — 
he  replied,  "  before  that  time,  I  expect  to  be  in  glory." 
This  remark  produced  an  electrifying  shock  upon  the 
minds  of  his  friends  in  Baltimore ;  and  has  often  been 
adverted  to  since  his  death,  as  appearing  somewhat  pro- 
phetical. 

It  may  justly  be  a  subject  of  gratitude  with  his  friends, 
and  with  the  members  of  that  church,  with  which  he  was 
more  especially  connected,  that  short  as  was  the  life,  and 
interrupted  the  ministerial  career  of  this  ardent  champion 
of  the  cross,  that  he  not  only  left — but  in  no  slight  degree 
contributed,  to  make  America  better  than  he  found  it. 
His  last  appearance  and  efforts  in  public,  were,  as  already 
stated,  to  witness,  and  with  his  brother  ministers,  to  cele- 
brale,  one  of  the  triumphs  of  Christian  charity,  which  it 
had  ever  been  his  aim  to  promote.  At  the  first  public 
meeting  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  he  was  present — 
though  on  the  verge  of  the  grave, — to  present  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  which  he  had  himself  drawn  up : — "  That 


REV.  JOHN  SUMMKRFIELD.  357 

as  all  permanent  good  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of 
lights,  we  do  give  ourselves  continually  to  prayer  for  his 
blessing  on  this  institution,  and  do  urge  it  upon  all  the  lovers 
of  our  Zion,  to  aid  us  herein  by  their  devout  supplica- 
tions." TL:s  resolution  he  advocated  in  a  strain  of  pious 
fervour,  which  well '  became  one  who  was  so  soon  to  join 
in  the  songs  of  the  blessed.  "  Hume,  Voltaire,  Paine,  and 
other  infidels,"  said  he,  "  have  predicted  the  downfall  of 
Christianity.  I  would  they  could  be  present  to  witness  the 
exercises  of  this  day,  and  the  growing  prosperity  of  the 
religion  which  they  affected  to  contemn  and  despise — I 
would  they  could  see  the  triumphs  of  the  cross,  and  par- 
take of  the  blessings  which  they  slighted."  He  declared, 
that  of  all  the  anniversaries  of  benevolent  institutions, 
which  he  had  attended,  in  Europe,  in  Canada,  and  in  the 
United  States,  there  was  not  one  in  which  he  had  seen  a 
spirit  of  brotherly  love,  and  christian  affection  among  dif- 
ferent denominations,  more  manifest.  This  he  felt  was 
to  be  attributed  to  the  presence  of  a  divine  influence.  His 
own  sense  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and  the  spectacle  he 
then  witnessed,  affected  him  to  tears  again  and  again 
during  the  course  of  the  meeting,  for  he  felt  that  the 
spirit  and  atmosphere  of  heaven  filled  the  room  :  but  he 
looked  so  pale,  so  cadaverous  and  emaciated,  that  his 
friends  could  hardly  suppress  a  tear  at  his  appearance.  He 
had  finished  his  course  ;  and  Providence,  as  if  to  render 
more  affecting  the  completion  of  the  circle  of  his  minis- 
terial labours,  so  ordered,  that  his  last  faltering  accents  in 


358  MEMOIRS,  &C. 

public,  should  be  heard  in  the  very  same  room,  in  which 
a  few  years  before  he  had  first  publicly  opened  his  lips 
in  his  adopted  country,  when,  in  the  Bible  Society,  he  held 
the  audience  in  rapt  surprise,  astonishment,  and  admira- 
tion. 


ADDITIONAL    LETTERS. 


The  three  following  letters  are  introduced  in  this  place  to 
show  how  deeply  interested  Mr.  Summerfield's  father  felt  in 
the  ministerial  success  of  his  son  : 

"  Cork,  Nov.  10,  1818. 
"  Mr  dear  John — 

*  *  *  *  "In  the  mean  time  do  all  you  can  in  the  most 
glorious  of  causes,  and  see  that  you  rob  not  God  of  his  own. 
Remember  you  have  all  to  learn,  and  He  only  is  able  to  teach 
the  science  of  himself.  Wrestle  much  in  prayer — believe  all 
his  revealed  truth — walk  in  the  light  as  he  is  in  the  light,  and 
the  blood,  the  life  of  Jesus,  will  cleanse  and  keep  clean  from  all 
sin.  Daily  remember  me  as  I  do  you,  as  well  as  that  family  of 
which  you  are  a  part,  that  God  may  be  honoured  in  all  our  lives. 
Go  forth,  as  David  before  Goliah,  in  the  name  and  strength  of 
Almighty  God,  and  the  end  of  your  life  will  be  answered.  Let 
me  rather  see  you  in  your  grave  than  that  you  should  depart 
from  the  holy  commandments.  Remember  the  cross  is  linked 
with  the  crown.  God  bless  and  prosper  you,  is  my  ceaseless 
prayer  for  you. 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

"WILLIAM  SUMMERFIELD." 


360  LETTERS  OF   THE 

[Extract  from  a  Letter  to  Mr.  S from  his  Father.] 

"  Cork,  Jan.  29,  1819. 

"  My  dear  John — ■ 

*  *  *  *  "  Let  me  beg  that  you  will  at  all  times  be  sen- 
sible of  the  immense  importance  attached  to  your  present  call- 
ing ;  that  is,  in  being  a  minister  of  the  Most  High.  I  expect 
you  will  always  live  the  truths  you  preach,  otherwise  all  you 
can  say  from  the  pulpit  will  be  as  sounding  brass,  &c.  You 
will  never  be  honoured  of  God  unless  you  live  the  life  of  faith, 
receiving  the  substance  of  Divine  truth,  uniting  you  to  a  oneness 
of  life  in  Christ,  as  he  is  one  with  God,  and  as  the  branches  to 
the  vine.  To  obtain  this,  all  God's  precepts  must  be  obeyed: 
however  painful  to  poor  human  nature,  without  this,  the  Chris- 
tian character,  much  less  the  Christian  minister,  will  be  defec- 
tive. In  the  complete  Christian  character  stands  the  man  of 
God,  and  when  called  to  be  the  mouth  of  God  to  man,  he  can 
say,  follow  me  as  I  follow  Christ.  For  want  of  this  the  world 
is  in  ruins.  We  never  wanted  faithful  labourers  more  than  we 
do  now.  I  pray  God  you  may  ever  be  found  faithful,  or  shut 
your  mouth  in  silent  dust.  INever  preach  for  filthy  lucre.  I 
repeat,  copy  Him  who  for  the  joy  set  before  him  endured 
the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  that  he  might  sit  down  at  the 
right  hand  of  God.  There  look  for  your  reward  only,  and 
seek  to  be  the  morning  star  of  Him  who  walks  among  the 
golden  candlesticks.  He  can  make  you  excel  in  the  displays 
of  the  latter-day  glory.     *     *     * 

"  Your  affectionate  father, 

"WILLIAM  SUMMERFIELD." 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  361 

[Extract  from  a  Letter  addressed  to  Mr.  S by  his 

Father.] 

"  Cork,  April  26,  1819. 
*  *  *  *  u  Now,  my  dear  John,  remember,  'the  honoured 
of  the  Lord  walk  in  wisdom's  ways.'  Lay  at  the  feet  of  the 
Most  High.  Learn  his  mind  by  an  inseparable  union  with  Him. 
Be  aware  of  high-mindedness,  or  He  will  cut  you  off.  Be  the 
least  of  all.  Ever  view  yourself  as  the  greatest  sinner,  and 
this  will  preserve  you  from  danger.  '  Blessed  is  the  man  that 
feareth  always.'  Ever  learn  to  know  who  rnaketh  thee  to  dif- 
fer. Seek  only  to  honour  thy  God,  in  bringing  to  his  knowledge 
lost  man.  Copy  none  but  the  only  perfect  pattern  of  all  virtue. 
Be  as  a  star  in  his  right  hand.  Ever  seek  a  perfect  conformity 
to  Him,  and  be  dead  to  all  human  comfort ;  that  is,  live  conti- 
nually in  the  spririt  of  self-denial.  '  Know  nothing  but  Jesus 
Christ  and  him  crucified,'  is  the  prayer  of 
"  Your  affectionate  father, 

"  WILLIAM  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mrs.  Blackstock.J 

"  Cork,  Dec.  6th,  1819. 
"  My  dear  Ellen — 
"  Having  just  been  informed  of  a  vessel  bound  for  New  York, 
in  this  harbour,  being  about  to  sail  in  a  day  or  two,  I  can  no  longer 
deprive  myself  of  the   gratification  I  always  feel  in  addressing 
you  ; — 'tis  true  this  has  been  seldom  of  late,  but  I  promise  you 
it  shall  be  more  frequent  if  the  Lord  spare  me ;  and  though  my 
correspondence  has  been  in  time  past  very  scanty,  my  mind  has 
often  wandered  across  the  mighty  deep  and  brought  me  to  close 
the  circle  of  your  social  hearth ; — I  am   satisfied  of  your  kind 
assurance  that  you    have  a  vacant  seat  for  me,  if  Providence 
2h 


362  LETTERS    OF    THE 

should  direct  my  steps  to  visit  you  ; — and  as  to  the  share  I  have 
in  your  affection,  I  can  measure  it  by  no  other  rule  than  that  by 
which  my  own  is  measured  out  for  you  ! — time  and  space  tend 
but  to  increase  it ; — not  to  diminish  it ; — and  if  I  should  never 
have  an  opportunity  of  giving  proof  of  it  upon  earth,  I  hope  to 
be  able  to  do  so  at  that  place  where  kindred  spirits  meet  and 
blend  themselves  together  in  joy  which  is  unspeakable  ! 

"  You  request  me,  in  your  valuable  letter  of  9th  June,  to  give 
you  a  particular  account  of  whatever  has  occurred  with  regard 
to  myself  since  I  last  wrote  you  ;  this  would  require  a  volume, 
but  as  I  know  the  interest  you  feel  in  my  welfare,  I  will  endea- 
vour to  give  you  an  outline  ; — I  have  my  diary  now  open  to 
assist  my  memory,  and  I  will  extract  a  few  of  the  most  striking 
incidents  that  have  occurred  to  me. 

"  If  my  last  was  dated  the  19th  April,  I  must  at  that  time  have 
been  in  Dublin  ;  perhaps  I  informed  you  of  my  being  invited 
thither  from  Cork  to  preach  a  charity  sermon  for  the  Public 
Sunday  Schools  of  that  city ;  this  I  did  to  such  a  multitude  as 
I  could  scarcely  give  you  any  conception  of;  my  Lord  and  Mas- 
ter lent  me  his  aid,  for  if  he  had  not,  such  a  child  as  I  am  could 
not  have  addressed  the  thousands  assembled  on  the  occasion  ; — 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  High  Sheriff,  &c,  &c,  came  in  state,  and 
among  the  collectors  were  many  of  the  rank  of  the  city — the 
collection  exceeded  all  our  expectations  ; — next  morning  a  dep- 
utation from  the  Female  Orphan  Asylum  waited  on  me  with  a 
request  to  preach  on  behalf  of  their  institution  as  early  as  con- 
venient ;  I  appointed  it  for  the  following  month,  and  meantime 
made  a  tour  through  the  delightful  county  of  Wicklow ;  never 
had  I  been  in  this  county,  since  the  time  we  all  visited  the  Dar- 
gle  ;— oh  !  what  were  my  sensations !  thou,  God,  knowest ! — Not 
visiting  it  at  this  time  on  a  pleasurable  excursion,  but  preaching 
the  word  of  the  kingdom  of  God !  So  great  was  our  number 
of  hearers,  that  I  was  obliged  to  preach  in  the  open  air ;  the 
Lord  sowed  the  seed  plentifully  in  many  hearts,  and  I  believe 
fruit  will  be  found  from  it  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ! — But  I 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  363 

can't  dwell  on  many  particulars;  the  Honourable  Mrs.  Tighe  of 
Rosanna,  whose  son  was  member  of  Parliament  for  that  county- 
till  his  death,  opened  her  house  for  me  ;  it  was  a  home  indeed  ! 
I  spent  a  short  time  in  her  delightful  mansion,  and  quitted  it 
with  regret,  amidst  her  earnest  solicitations  that  I  would  spend 
the  summer  at  her  happy  retreat.  Thank  God,  though  the  Holy 
Ghost  has  declared  that  not  many  noble  are  called,  He  has  not 
said  not  any;  I  believe  she  will  prove  a  trophy  of  the  Re- 
deemer's death ! 

"I  returned  to  Dublin;  but  what  will  be  your  feelings  when  I 
tell  you  that  on  entering  the  city  I  was  near  being  killed  on  the 
spot !  In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death  !  I  had  rode  almost 
twenty  Irish  miles  that  day,  and  my  horse  was  a  good  deal 
jaded ;  just  as  I  was  riding  down  Stephen's  Green,  something, 
as  I  suppose,  startled  him,  but  before  I  was  aware  I  was  clashed 
off  his  back  and  thrown  over  his  head  a  considerable  distance, 
pitching  on  my  head  on  the  pavement.  When  I  came  to  myself 
I  found  I  had  suffered  no  material  injury;  my  hat  being  new, 
and  keeping  on  my  head,  broke  off  the  dreadful  percussion  in 
some  degree,  or  my  brains  would  in  all  likelihood  have  been 
dashed  out — I  felt  a  pain  produced  in  my  left  side,  but  did  not 
mind  it,  hoping  it  would  wear  away ; — this  was  on  a  Tuesday  ; 
the  Sunday  following  I  ventured  to  preach  for  the  poor  Orphans  5 
they  were  female  orphans  !  Never  did  I  preach  with  so  much 
effect ;  I  was  enabled  to  paint  their  loss  in  liveliest  colours  !  I 
spoke  from  nature  !  Amelia  and  Anne  were  before  my  eyes, 
and  the  remembrance  of  a  mother's  loss  operated  on  my  own 
feelings  most  powerfully  ; — the  impression  was  general ;  the 
emotion  thrilled  through  every  heart ; — I  could  say  no  more, — 
I  beckoned  for  the  little  dear  ones  to  stand  up  and  plead  their 
own  cause  in  silent  eloquence  ! — I  sat  down  and  pleaded  for  them 
with  my  tears ;  I  need  not  tell  you  the  effect ; — however,  the 
exertion  I  had  made  increased  my  pain  that  night ;  the  Tuesday 
following  the  effects  of  my  fall  and  exertion  subsequent  were 
perceived  ;  I   began  to  throw  a  quantity  of  congealed  blood  off 


364  LETTERS   OF    THE 

my  lungs  ;  and  after  this  was  removed  the  fresh  blood  began  to 
flow  up  my  throat  profusely ;  it  was  found  that  I  had  broken  a 
blood-vessel  on  the  lungs ; — however,  it  ceased  toward  night, 
and  I  hoped  all  would  be  well.  Wednesday  I  set  off  in  the 
mail  to  Waterford ;  it  had  been  published  for  me  to  preach  a 
charity  sermon  there  the  following  Sunday,  and  I  was  unwilling 
to  disappoint ;  but  the  motion  of  the  coach  brought  on  the  vomit- 
ing of  blood  and  I  arrived  very  weak  in  that  city;  after  a  night's 
rest  it  staunched,  and  I  ventured  to  speak  the  following  evening. 
I  know  you  will  blame  me ;  but,  oh  my  dear  Ellen,  could  you 
but  enter  into  the  feelings  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  you  would 
at  least  pity,  if  not  forgive.  The  love  of  Christ  constrains  us. 
1  hardly  need  tell  you  the  effect  which  this  brought  on  me ;  I 
was  completely  exhausted  ;  took  to  my  bed,  had  doctors  attend- 
ing me,  was  blooded,  took  medicines, was  laid  under  a  regimen, 
&c,  and  thus  suffered  till  Conference  !  The  plans  I  had  for- 
med were  frustrated,  I  had  made  appointments  to  preach,  on 
the  behalf  of  the  Foreign  Missions,  in  the  South  of  Ireland,  say 
Cork,  Bandon,  &c,  but  was  unable  to  go  anywhere.  Little 
did  my  dear  father  know  the  state  I  was  in ; — however,  God 
blessed  the  means,  and  I  recovered  a  little  ; — I  went  to  Con- 
ference, but  was  unable  to  preach  before  them  during  the  whole 
of  their  sittings  ; — Mr.  Edmondson  was  the  President ;  you  re- 
member he  was  in  Burslem  when  we  lived  there ;  he  was 
delighted  indeed  to  see  me,  and  invited  me  to  his  pulpit  in 
Birmingham  with  all  the  warmth  of  a  brother  and  a  friend. 
During  the  Conference  we  held  the  anniversary  of  the  Hibernian 
Missionary  Society ;  our  chapel  was  crowded  to  excess  ;  Mr. 
Edmondson  was  called  to  the  chair ;  we  had  some  delightful 
reports  read  and  speeches  delivered  on  the  occasion ;  after  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Marsden  of  London  had  addressed  the  Chair,  I  was 
called  forward  and  a  motion  put  into  my  hand ;  I  rose  and  spoke 
after  my  worthy  friend  as  well  as  I  was  able ;  I  was  followed 
by  some  others ;  indeed  I  never  witnessed  so  delightful  a  public 
meeting. 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMKRFIELD.  365 

"  My  plans  were  arranged  for  my  returning  to  England  with 
Mr.  Marsden ;  but  my  health  was  yet  very  bad ;  added  to  this, 
Mr.  Mayne  (brother  of  Judge  Mayne),  who  had  been  appointed 
for  Dublin  during  Conference,  was  obliged  fo  be  absent  for  some 
time  ; — the  Conference  therefore  made  a  request  that  I  would 
remain  in  Dublin  till  his  return;  this  I  complied  with,  and 
preached  in  that  city  for  three  months;  the  duty  was  very 
severe  for  me  in  my  weak  state ;  the  weather  was  so  very 
warm,  and  the  congregations  so  overflowing,  that  it  was  at  the 
hazard  of  my  life ;  however,  God  was  with  me,  and  he  suffered 
not  a  hair  of  my  head  to  perish  !  blessed  be  his  name !  Mr. 
Mayne  arrived  near  the  middle  of  September  and  I  thought  now 
to  have  had  rest,  but  the  work  of  God  called  me  to  Parsons- 
town,  Roscrea,  &c,  &c,  for  a  few  days;  and  when  God  calls 
I  dare  not  disobey.  While  in  these  parts  I  remained  only  seven 
days,  I  preached  eleven  times  and  travelled  one  hundred  and 
sixty  miles  ;  but  it  was  indispensable ;  the  Earl  of  Rosse,  whose 
residence  is  Parsonstown,  had  been  very  kind  during  my  last 
visit  there,  and  gave  us  a  most  eligible  plot  of  ground  for  a  new 
place  of  worship,  the  former  one  being  quite  too  small ;  he  paid 
us  marked  distinction  during  this  my  second  visit,  and  at  his 
request  I  preached  in  the  Court  House  for  the  accommodation 
of  his  family  and  those  of  the  surrounding  nobility  and  gentry — 
I  believe  the  word  of  truth  cut  its  own  way ;  I  trust  those  noble 
ones  too  will  be  among  the  number  of  the  few  rich  who  are 
called  to  eternal  life. 

"  I  returned  to  Dublin,  and  was  about  setting  off  on  a  northern 
tour  through  this  country ;  but  a  letter  arrived  from  Cork,  from 
my  dear  father,  calling  me  to  come  to  him  immediately.  He 
had  heard  of  my  exertions  and  feared  for  the  event ;  I  came  to 
Cork :  it  was  well  I  did ;  perhaps  if  I  had  not  come  here,  I 
might  have  been  in  my  grave !  The  exertions  I  went  through 
in  Dublin,  Parsonstown,  &c,  with  the  fatigues  of  excessive 
travelling,  came  to  a  crisis  in  my  constitution  ;  an  inward  obstruc- 
tion was  produced,  and  when  returning  to  Cork  in  Mr.  Edwards' 
2  h  2 


366  LETTERS   OF    THE 

carriage,  at  whose  hospitable  mansion  in  Hop  Island  I  had  been 
on  a  visit  ever  since  my  arrival  in  these  parts,  violent  spasms 
came  on — reason  left  me — and  when  I  came  to  myself  I  found 
my  feet  in  a  vessel  of  hot  water,  myself  stripped,  a  physician  by 
my  side  bleeding  me  to  excess,  a  man  shaving  my  head  pre- 
paratory to  the  applying  a  blister,  &c,  &c. 

"  But  the  interval  was  short ;  the  spasms  returned  and  succeeded 
each  other  all  the  day  and  night,  during  which  I  was  delirious. 
My  beloved  father  was  sent  for  express  ;  he  came,  as  he 
thought,  to  see  me  die  ! — Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  all 
my  mercies,  I  felt  no  fear ;  I  believe  that  if  I  had  died  it  would 
be  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord.  My  life  was  for  a  long  time 
despaired  of.  For  a  month  I  remained  at  Hop  Island,  and  now 
I  am  fast  recovering,  and  am  likely  to  be  better  than  ever  ;  the 
physician  thinks  that  my  illness  will  renovate  my  constitution  ; 
hov/ever,  my  dear  Ellen,  do  not  be  alarmed  for  me,  I  will  take 
more  care  for  time  to  come  :  experience  is  the  best  of  teachers. 
"  I  have  again  commenced  to  preach ;  last  night  we  had  an 
immense  congregation,  while  I  delivered  all  the  words  of  this 
life.  The  Sunday  preceding  I  was  in  Bandon,  where  I  was 
kindly  received  and  entertained  by  the  Governor  of  the  town  : — 
1  hope  to  be  able  to  continue  preaching,  but  am  limited  to  once 
a  week ;  this  will  not  distress  me. 

"  I  shall  now  remain  with  my  father  till  after  my  next  birth- 
day— 31st  January — and  then  go  to  England;  Bristol,  London 
and  Liverpool  will  be  my  halting  places,  and  I  purpose  returning 
to  Conference  with  the  Rev.  Joseph  Benson  ; — I  cannot  yet  say 
where  will  be  my  final  destination ;  when  I  write  again  I  can 
inform  you.  My  father  has  written  you,  so  that  I  need  say 
nothing  on  the  affairs  of  the  family — I  suppose  he  has  done  this. 
A.nd  now,  my  dear  Ellen,  believe  me  to  be,  with  increasing  affec- 
tion for  you  and  James, 

"  Your    loving  brother, 

"JOHN." 


THE    REV.    JOHN    SUMMEKFIELD.  367 

The  two  following   letters  preceded  Mr.   Summerfield  and 
family's  arrival  in  America. 


[To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blackstock.] 

"  St.  Ubes,  Portugal,  28th  Dec.  1820. 

"  My  dear  Brother  and  Sister — 

"  By  favour  of  a  vessel  now  in  the  harbour  bound  for  New 
York,  I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  give  you  certain  intelli- 
gence of  an  event  to  which  we  long  looked  forward,  but  of  the 
realization  of  which  I  had  almost  given  up  every  hope. 

"  I  am  at  this  moment  surrounded  by  my  father,  William, 
Amelia  and  Anne,  all  sitting  in  the  cabin  of  the  ship  General 
Line/an,  on  our  passage  to  New  York,  to  which  port  she  is 
bound.  We  sailed  from  Cork  on  the  thirteenth  inst.,  and  had 
rather  a  tedious,  though  not  unpleasant,  voyage  to  this  place, 
fifteen  miles  south  of  Lisbon.  Our  touching  here  is  to  take  in 
a  cargo,  being  at  present  only  ballasted.  We  arrived  here  last 
night,  and  are  put  under  quarantine  till  to-morrow,  when  we 
undergo  an  inspection ;  so  that,  though  in  the  harbour,  we  have  not 
been  allowed  to  put  our  foot  on  shore  ;  after  this  shall  com- 
mence operations,  and  expect  to  leave  this  port  in  a  fortnight. 

"  You  will  be  able  to  calculate  as  well  as  we  at  what  time 
our  arrival  may  be  expected ;  the  captain  intends  running  south 
as  far  as  the  Tropic,  in  order  to  meet  with  the  trade  winds  ; 
I  should  think,  however,  under  the  blessing  of  heaven,  our 
voyage  may  not  be  longer  than  six  weeks  ;  so  that  in  two 
months  we  hope  to  touch  the  land  of  our  destination. 

"  We  are  all  very  well  except  myself ;  I  cannot  say  much  of 
my  state  in  this  respect :  a  severe  illness  which  befell  me  in  Cork 
is  not  wholly  removed,  but  I  calculate  much  on  the  effects  of  a 
sea  voyage.  Our  situation  on  board  is  very  agreeable  ;  our 
captain  is  one  of  the  most  gentlemanly  men  I  have  met  with 
in  his  profession,  and  studies  to  make  us  comfortable  ;  he  pro- 


368  LETTERS    OF    THE 

vides  most  abundantly,  and  furnishes  our  table  with  fowl,  &c, 
puddings,  pies,  and  other  luxuries  so  grateful  to  sea  passengers. 

"  Amelia  and  Anne  have  their  piano-forte  in  the  cabin  ;  they 
play  alternately,  while  the  captain  accompanies  with  his  flute 
and  we  sing,  so  that  you  may  have  some  idea  of  our  situation  ; 
indeed,  were  it  not  that  we  see  water  on  every  side  we  could 
almost  cheat  ourselves  with  the  fancy  of  being  on  shore.  *  *  * 

"  I  cannot  compress  within  the  limits  of  my  paper  all  the 
affectionate  remembrances  which  I  am  desired  to  make  ;  you 
must  therefore  accept  the  will  for  the  deed,  and  give  us  credit 
till  we  arrive.  Believe  me,  my  dear  brother  and  sister,  with 
the  most  affectionate  regards, 

"  Yours  most  sincerely, 

"  For  self  and  family, 

"  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blackstock.] 

"  St.  Ubcs,  Portugal,  Jan.  loth,  1821. 

"  My  dear  Brother  and  Sister — 

"  This  is  the  second  letter  I  have  addressed  you  from  this 
place,  but  as  we  are  doubtful  concerning  the  fate  of  the  vessel 
which  first  sailed,  bound  to  Baltimore  (on  account  of  the  very 
bad  weather  we  have  had  ever  sincej,  it  is  judged  better  to 
write  again,  although  the  Camillus  is  bound  to  Savannah  ;  if,  how- 
ever, we  should  have  favourable  weather  for  taking  in  the  ship's 
cargo,  we  may  be  with  you  as  soon  as  the  letter,  and  if  so,  1 
know  we  should  be  much  more  welcome. 

"  My  last  would  have  informed  you  that  we  expected  to 
have  sailed  hence  before  this  time,  but  the  weather  has  been 
truly  extraordinary ;  we  have  had  an  earthquake  here  during 
our  stay ;  and  for  a  fortnight  after,  one  continued  squall  and  hur- 
ricane ;  it  has  now  cleared  up,  and  we  have  now  two-thirds 
of  the  cargo  on  board  ;  the   captain  expects  to  leave  here  on 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  369 

Saturday ; — however,  on  account  of  this  delay,  our  expectation 
of  being  with  you  so  early  as  1st  March  will  hardly  be  realized; 
it  may  be  the  latter  end  of  that  month. 

"  We  all  continue  well  except  myself;  I  know  not  yet  how 
it  will  go  with  me,  but  I  trust  my  good  Lord,  who  has  the  issues 
of  life  and  death  in  his  hands,  will  yet  spare  me  a  little  longer ; 
I  only  want  to  live  for  Him  who  died  for  me,  to  declare  his 
name  to  children's  children,  and  I  feel  a  confidence  in  Him  that 
I  shall  yet  recover  strength  for  this  purpose ; — I  calculate  great 
things  on  the  probable  effects  of  this  voyage  which  has  already 
served  me  more  than  I  can  express ;  I  think  I  feel  better  and 
better  day  after  day,  and  hope  to  arrive  to  you  with  the  flush  of 
restored  health. 

"  We  have  enjoyed  the  neighboring  scenery  of  this  place 
very  much,  whenever  the  weather  has  permitted  us  to  go  out. 
Yesterday  we  visited  some  of  the  orange  groves,  and  were 
highly  gratified ;  we  have  permission  from  the  American  and 
English  consuls  to  go  to  their  gardens  whenever  we  please  and 
bring  away  whatever  fruit  we  desire.  We  avail  ourselves  of 
this,  and  live  more  on  oranges,  limes,  nuts,  &c,  &c,  than  any 
other  food.     *     *     * 

"  With  sincerest  affection,  yours, 

"  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mrs.  Garrettson.] 

"  Brooklyn,  20th  September,  1821. 
"  My  dear  Mrs.  Garrettsox — 

"  Will  you  indulge  me  with  the  privilege  of  gratifying 
some  of  the  best  feelings  of  my  heart  while  I  converse  with  you 
a  few  minutes  in  the  way  of  letter  correspondence  ;  not  that  I 
have  anything  peculiarly  interesting  to  communicate,  except 
a  recital  of  the  mercy  of  God  on  some  particulars  which  have 


370  LETTERS  OF   THE 

affected  me  since  we  parted  at  the  throne  of  His  mercy.  I  have 
been  labouring  under  a  very  severe  affliction  for  some  time 
back,  and  this  is  the  first  day  that  I  have  risen  from  my  bed 
since  yesterday  week ;  while  the  Lord  was  overshadowing  my 
dear  friends  at  Rhinebeck  with  the  pillar  of  fire,  and  baptizing 
them  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  He  cast  darkness  around  my  path, 
and  overshadowed  me  with  the  cloud  ;  I  must  confess  '  I  feared 
while  entering  into  the  cloud,'  that  I  should  never  see  you 
more,  and  I  was  rather  wishful  to  remain  here  a  little  longer 
for  the  '  furtherance  and  joy  of  faith'  of  many  whom  I  love 
*  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ.'  My  expectation  and  hope 
was  to  have  been  at  your  camp  meeting,  but  an  unexpected 
application  from  Trenton  arrived,  of  such  a  nature,  that  my 
brethren  here  judged  it  better  that  I  should  accept  of  that  invi- 
tation ;  I  feared  to  suffer  my  own  will  to  preponderate,  and 
accordingly  yielded  to  their  opinion.  The  day  after  I  arrived 
there,  I  was  attacked  with  a  complaint,  novel  to  me,  but  ex- 
tremely afflictive  ;  it  proved  the  dysentery  ;  it  was  not,  however, 
so  bad  as  to  prevent  my  preaching  on  the  next  Sabbath  ; — that 
evening  medicine  was  administered  in  the  hope  of  checking  the 
complaint,  but  in  vain.  I  was  enabled  by  my  good  Lord  to 
preach  again  on  Monday  and  again  on  Tuesday — this  was  quite 
enough,  and  I  returned  to  Brunswick  on  Wednesday,  thence  on 
Thursday  to  New  York  ;  considering  the  pain  I  was  in,  and  the 
nature  of  the  complaint,  I  wonder  how  I  arrived  home  ; — I  did 
not  walk  but  crawled  to  Brooklyn.  I  took  my  bed  immediately, 
and  this  is  the  first  morning  I  have  quitted  it ;  my  complaint 
has  yielded  to  the  influence  of  bleeding,  blisters,  &c,  &c,  and  I 
do  now  expect  that  it  will  have  proved  of  the  utmost  benefit  to 
my  constitution.  As  it  respects  the  inner  man,  I  felt  much  of 
the  supporting  power  of  Him  who  yet  '  bears  our  griefs  and 
carries  our  sorrows  ;'  I  am  persuaded  that 

1  Behind  a  frowning  Providence, 
He  hides  a  smiling  face.' 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMEEFIELD.  371 

tie  saw  the  furnace  preparing,  He  watched  the  moment  when  I 
entered  in,  He  walked  with  me  in  the  flame,  nor  suffered  a  hair 
of  my  head  to  be  singed  ;  yes, 

'  I  flourished,  wnconsumed  in  fire !' 

I  have  very  often  had  to  say  with  David,  '  it  was  good  for  me 
that  I  was  afflicted.'  I  think  my  illnesses  have  in  general  the 
effect  of  making  me  sink  deeper  into  that  mould  which  is  im- 
pressed with  my  favourite  motto  *  humble  love  /'  The  more 
frequent  the  blasts,  the  firmer  does  the  tree  bind  itself  to 
that  into  which  it  has  been  planted  ;  planted  as  we  have  been 
into  the  likeness  of  the  death  of  Christ,  our  affections  strike  still 
deeper,  while  the  adverse  winds  of  His  appointment  strike  upon 
the  trunk,  and  shake  us  to  the  very  root ; — Oh  !  to  feel  at  that 
time  that  we  are  steadfast  and  immoveable,  and  that  neither  death 
nor  life  can  separate  us  from  His  love  !  Oh  !  that  this  late  dis- 
pensation may  have  an  increasingly  salutary  influence  upon  my 
future  life  and  conversation, 

'  My  sole  concern,  my  single  care, 
To  watch,  and  tremble,  and  prepare 
Against  that  fatal  day  !' 

"  Enough  of  so  unworthy  a  creature  as  self.  How  is  it  with 
my  kind  friends  at  Rhinebeck  ? —  nay,  I  call  you  not  friends — 
my  relations — my  fathers  and  mothers  and  brothers  and  sisters 
— I  feel  we  are  one  in  Christ  Jesus; — one  family  in  Him,  we 
meet  and  feel  the  bond  divine.  Do  let  me  hear  from  you  or 
Mrs.  Suckley  ;  indeed  this  letter  is  as  much  hers  as  yours  ;  to 
her  and  you  all  things  are  common  ; — if  her  stay  in  the  country 
should  be  protracted  I  will  write  to  her  when  I  am  a  little  more 
able,  for  I  even  now  feel  pain  owing  to  my  state  of  health  being 
so  weak — however,  she  is  not  jealous  with  me  ;  she  is  assured 
of  my  love. 

"  I  should  be  anxious  to  hear  how  the  work  of  God  proceeds 


372  LETTERS   OP   THE 

with  your  neighbours  ;  here,  the  Lord  is  doing  wonders — I  be- 
lieve seventy  souls  have  been  added  to  our  society  here  within 
the  last  month,  and  many  of  them  added  to  the  Lord.  In  New 
York  we  have  the  cloud  rising  out  of  the  sea  ;  it  was  but  little 
as  a  human  hand,  but  it  is  expanding  ;  I  believe  between  fifty 
and  sixty  have  been  brought  in  there  in  the  same  time ; 

'  Lo  !  the  promise  of  a  shower ! 

Drops  already  from  above, 

But  the  Lord  will  shortly  pour 

All  the  spirit  of  His  love  "   Amen  and  Amen. 

"  I  hasten  to  a  close  ; — I  am  quite  tired  ;  this  is  my  apology 
for  a  scrawl,  in  my  weak  state,  almost  unintelligible  to  myself. 
Give  my  respects  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T ;  I  hope  he  fell  in  love 
with  the  altogether  lovely  at  your  camp-meeting.  Oh !  that  I 
could  hear  that  he  was  love-sick.  You  will  be  sure  not  to  for- 
get to  remember  me  affectionately  to  all  my  dear  friends,  &c. 
"  Yours,  &c. 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker,  of  Baltimore.] 

"  New  York,  April  25th,  1822. 
"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  '  Hope  deferred  maketh  the  heart  sick.'  I  trust  that  my 
dear  friend  has  not  realized  this  in  the  present  case.  Indeed,  I 
would  immediately  begin  to  apologize,  if  I  knew  that  a  moment 
of  leisure  had  been  afforded  previous  to  the  one  I  now  possess, 
in  which  to  converse  with  those  I  love.  My  time  has  been 
consumed  even  to  ashes  since  I  arrived  here  ;  so  many  anniver- 
saries, public  meetings,  &c,  &c,  &c,  that  I  have  scarcely  had 
leisure  to  sleep  by  night  or  by  day.  However,  having  now  a 
breathing  time  for  a  day  or  two,  I  have  concluded  to  write  to 
you  by  way  of  relaxation,  although  obligation  and  gratitude 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  373 

imperiously  demand  it,  even  if  no  pleasure — no  heart-felt  plea- 
sure— were  connected  with  it. 

"  With  what  member  of  your  family  shall  I  commence  ? — for 
you  are  every  one  before  my  mind,  and  every  one  within  my 
heart.  My  precious  Mrs.  Dickens — how  is  she  ?  Still  hold- 
ing on  the  even  tenor  of  her  way  ?  Looking  out  ? — sometimes 
inclining  to  say  with  the  Psalmist,  '  Lord,  how  long  ?'  or  with 
an  apostlr,  'I  have  a  desire  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Christ, 
which  is  far  better.'  Tell  her  never  to  forget  that  a  thousand 
years  are  with  the  Lord  as  one  day,  and  with  him  therefore 
there  is  no  delay :  he  will  come  quickly !  He  has  spared  her 
till  supper  time,  and  will  bring  her  down  in  a  good  old  age  : — 
this  is  the  best  meal  in  heaven — the  supper ;  the  marriage  sup- 
per! — and  soon  may  she  hear  Him  say,  '  sit  down.''  Oh!  that 
her  heart  may  ever  realize  the  expressions  of  our  poet — 

'  His  chariot  will  not  long  delay! 

I  hear  the  rumbling  wheels,  and  pray, 

Triumphant  Lord,  appear !' 

And  your  dear  partner,  my  Mrs.  Baker — oh  !  how  she  afflicted 
me  when  I  examined  the  token  of  affection  which  she  gave  me  ! 
I  was  too  far  from  her  at  the  time  to  chide  her, — and  since  then, 
my  anger  is  gone  by.  My  dear  sisters  uttered  many  pretty 
things  about  the  unknown  donor  of  their  little  presents,  and  say 
they  wont  be  satisfied  with  knowing  her  name,  but  hope  to  know 
her  person  also.  I  have  made  half  a  promise  that  in  the  ensuing 
spring,  if  God  permit,  I  will  bring  one  of  them  down  to  Baltimore. 
I  suppose  you  will  hear  from  them  frequently  before  that  time. 
I  can  only  say  to  my  dear  friend,  I  thank  you  sincerely  ;  we  all 
thank  you  heartily  ; — but  how  poor  a  return  is  this  !  But  we 
will  remember  her  at  a  Throne  of  Grace,  and  when  we  meet  at 
a  Throne  of  Glory,  we  will  assist  her  to  tune  her  harp  to  the 
highest  note  of  the  redeemed  ; — higher — and  yet  higher — that 
she  may  vie  with  them  in  giving  glory  to  Him  who  sitteth  upon 
the  throne  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever. 
2  K 


374  LETTERS  OF  THE 

"  And  Miss  Dickens — is  she  well  ?  I  don't  know  that  I  can 
write  her  name  correctly,  or  I  would  address  her  more  fami- 
liarly. Does  she  remember  her  promise  ?  The  month  has  not 
yet  gone  by.  I  hope  she  does  not  find  it  long  ; — to  me  it  seems 
a  little  month  indeed  ! 

"  My  little  sons  and  daughters — how  are  they  ?  What  a 
long  letter  you  will  have  to  write  me,  when  you  give  me  all 
particulars  !  Tell  William  I  expect  great — great  things  from 
him,  and  trust  he  will  not  disappoint  me. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilkins  and 
their  family. 

"  When  any  of  you  see  poor  Mrs.  Gough — rich  Mrs.  Gough 
(for  she  is  an  heiress  of  the  Kingdom) — give  her  my  warmest 
affection. 

'  Her  sufferings  here  will  soon  be  past, 
And  she  shall  then  ascend  at  last 
Triumphant  with  her  head  !' 

"  Remember  me  to  Mrs.  Carroll  also.  Thank  her  most 
affectionately  for  her  little  treasure,  and  say,  I  am  sorry  she 
kept  it  back  until  I  had  not  an  opportunity  of  expressing  my 
gratitude  in  person.  There  are  many  other  members  of  that 
family  to  whom  I  should  wish  to  be  remembered,  but  as  you 
know  them  all,  you  can  make  up  the  deficiency. 

"  But  I  have  not  told  you  anything  about  myself.  Why,  I 
don't  feel  as  if  I  were  worth  consuming  a  line  upon.  How- 
ever, as  you  expect  it,  I  may  say  my  health  is  pretty  good,  but 
not  so  good  as  when  at  Baltimore.  I  found  the  difference  in 
the  air  immediately  on  my  return ;  there  is  a  sharpness  in  it 
which  oppresses  me  a  good  deal.  It  may  be  owing  to  the  con- 
tiguity to  the  sea ;  however,  by  and  by  I  may  get  used  to  it 
again.  We  are  not  always  on  the  Mount  with  regard  to  the 
body,  no  more  than  with  the  soul.  But  the  Lord  will  do  all 
things  well. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  Doctor,  receive  my  poor  expression  of 


REV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  375 

thankfulness  for  all  the  kindness  you  showed  me  wh»m  in  your 
friendly  mansion.  What  shall  I  render  unto  you  for  all  your 
benefits  toward  me?  I  will  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
that  he  may  rank  you  among  those  who  have  given  a  cup  of 
cold  water  to  the  least  of  his  brethren.  You  have  done  more 
than  giving  a  cup  of  cold  water.  May  He  do  for  you  and 
yours  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that  you  and  I  can  ask 
or  think  !     Amen  and  amen. 

"  Permit  me,  my  dear  Doctor,  to  subscribe  myself,  in  truth 
and  sincerity, 

"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mr. ,  of  Baltimore.*] 

«  New  York,  April  26th,  1822. 
"  My  dear  Friend  and  Brother — 

"  My  long  silence  may  have  given  occasion  to  many  un- 
fruitful speculations  as  to  the  reason  of  it ;  but  I  hesitate  not  to 
sav  that  your  own  heart  has  made  a  hundred  apologies  for  me, 
rather  than  entertain  for  a  moment  the  idea  that  I  was  either  un- 
grateful, or  forgetful.  One  hurrying  scene  after  another  has 
presented  in  quick  succession,  and  hitherto  prevented  my  doing 
as  I  had  wished,  insomuch,  that  yesterday  and  to-day  are  the 
first  seasons  of  leisure  I  have  had  since  I  saw  you  last  in  Bal- 
timore. 


*  This  letter  was  addressed  to  a  highly  esteemed  friend  in  Baltimore. 

Mr.  S was  in  the  habit  of  wearing  a  coat  of  the  ordinary  cut  and 

fashion,  and  his  friend,  though  not  a  professor  of  religion,  yet  one  who 
greatly  respected  it,  and  loved,  and  entertained  its  ministers,  believing 
the  dress  of  the  Methodist  preachers  should  as  far  as  practicable  be  uni- 
form, presented  him  with  a  single-breasted  coat  such  as  was  generally 
worn  by  them  in  the  days  of  Wesley. 


376  LETTERS    OF    THE 

"  Your  very  agreeable  present,  and  the  manner  in  which  it 
was  received,  will  never  be  forgotten ;  it  is  the  first  '  jeu 
d'esprif  of  the  kind  I  have  ever  met  with.  I  regret  that  it  was 
not  in  my  power  to  acknowledge  your  kindness  personally  before 
I  left  your  city  ;  but  what  shall  I  now  render  to  you  for  this 
benefit  ?  I  have,  I  confess,  scarcely  anything  within  my  gift. 
If  I  could  transmit  to  you  the  garment  of  salvation,  I  should  in- 
deed be  able  to  recompense  you  fully  ;  though,  not  half  so  fully, 
as  if  you  received  it  from  the  Author  of  Salvation  ;  this  is  a  gift 
which  is  enhanced  by  the  dignity  of  the  Giver  ;  and  He  has 
therefore  reserved  it  to  himself  to  bestow  it.  This  gift,  how- 
ever, will  not  be  yours  in  the  same  way  that  your  gift  became 
mine,  for  He  requires  that  you  shall  ask  in  order  to  receive  it, 
and  has  only  promised  His  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  Him. 
My  coat  indeed  becomes  me  well ;  it  fits  me  better  than  any 
coat  I  ever  had,  and  its  texture  is  super-excellent :  but,  my  dear 
friend,  the  garment  I  would  recommend  to  you  would  become 
you  still  better,  and  would  fit  and  adorn  you  more  than  any 
garment  you  ever  wore.  As  to  its  texture,  it  is  emphatically 
said  to  be  ''fine  ;'  not  comparatively  so,  but  positively  l  fine, 
and  that  alone  is  '  fine,  clean  and  white.'  I  could  have 
dispensed  with  your  present,  inasmuch  as  my  former  dress 
would  have  fully  answered  all  the  purposes  for  which  it  was 
intended  ;  but  my  dear  friend  cannot  dispense  with  the  garment 
I  am  recommending  him,  for  the  man  who  has  it  not  will  be 
turned  out  from  the  marriage  supper,  and  cast  into  outer  dark- 
ness !  My  friend  went  to  great  expense  to  procure  me  this  sub- 
stance, and  after  all  it  is  perishable,  as  he  will  perceive  if  I 
should  live  to  see  him  again.  But  the  garment  of  salvation  is 
as  new  after  fifty  years'  wear  as  on  the  first  day  ;  it  is  of  imper- 
ishable materials;  and  it  will,  notwithstanding,  be  given  without 
money  and  icithovl  price  I  Indeed,  if  God  were  to  fix  a  price 
upon  it,  that  very  price,  no  matter  how  great,  would  lessen  its 
value  !  It  is  said  of  one  of  the  ancient  painters,  that  although 
he  bestowed  immense  labour  on  every  one  of  his  productions  in 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMEBFIELD.  377 

the  fine  arts,  he  always  gave  away  his  performances  ;  and  being 
asked  the  reason  of  it,  he  replied,  '  They  are  above  all  price !' 
This  is  indeed  the  case  with  the  gift  of  God.  He  gives  away, 
lest  his  blessings  should  deteriorate  in  the  eyes  of  the  pur- 
chasers, by  the  value  annexed  thereto ;  but  although  he  gives, 
he  gives  freely,  and  is  much  more  willing  to  give  than  we  are  to 
receive.  He  bestowed  immense  labour  to  perfect  for  us  this 
finished  work.  'The  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  the  cross  and 
passion,  the  death  and  burial,  the  glorious  resurrection  and  as- 
cension, and  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost !'  The  former  of 
these,  the  price  ;  the  latter,  the  purchase  ; — and  now  he  gives 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  Him ! 

'  Oh,  Lamb  of  God  !  was  ever  pain, 
Was  ever  love  like  thine  !' 

"  But,  my  dear  friend,  why  do  I  thus  carry  on  the  figure  ?  Suf- 
fer me  to  speak  freely,  sincerely,  lovingly,  on  this  subject.  What 
is  the  cause — why,  amid  all  that  kindness  that  you  ever  show, 
and  delight  to  show  to  the  meanest  of  the  servants  of  my  Lord, — 
why,  oh  why  is  it,  that  you  have  not  so  fallen  in  love  with  the 
'  Altogether  Lovely,'  as  to  give  Him  full  possession  of  your  heart  ? 
You  give  him  your  money, — you  give  your  tongue  to  speak 
upon  his  goodness  ; — your  feet  are  employed  in  tracking  the  way 
to  his  sanctuary* ;  and  you  delight  to  be  seated  among  the  flock 
of  Christ.  But  then,  your  heart !  -  Oh  !  my  son,  my  son,'  says 
God,  'give  me  thine  heart!'  Seek  the  kingdom  of  God  first, 
rather,  and  bring  ever}*  other  consideration  into  a  state  of  inferi- 
ority. Let  me  ask  you,  my  dear  brother — (for  such  I  call  you 
in  anticipation  and  from  my  very  soul) — is  He  not  worthy  of 
your  heart  ?  The  language  of  angels  is,  '  Thou  alone  art 
worthy' — He  has  purchased  you  at  the  price  of  blood,  and  he 
claims  you  as  his  own.  Will  you  continue  to  resist  the  claim? 
Has  he  not  long  been  striving  with  you  to  yield  yourself  a  willing 
sacrifice  ?  Though  he  could  force,  yet  he  prefers  submission ; 
he  would  honour  you  by  proposing  himself  to  your  choice.  He 
2  k  2 


378  LETTERS    OF    THE 

is  an  honourable  lover  !  He  woos,  he  entreats,  he  supplicates,  he 
stoops,  to  ask  your  love  !  Can  you  keep  him  out  any  longer  ? 
Oh  !  no  !  jour  heart  says  no  !     Then  answer  him  this  moment — 

'  Come  in,  come  in,  thou  heavenly  guest, 
And  never  hence  remove  ! 
But  sup  with  me,  and  let  the  feast 
Be  everlasting-  love !' 

"  Oh  !  yes,  when  you  have  once  tasted  his  love,  you  will  want 
it  to  be  everlasting.  May  the  Lord  God  encourage  and  incline 
you  in  this  pleasing  surrender,  and  may  He  hear  my  prayers  on 
your  behalf ! 

"  Do  let  me  hear  from  you  at  a  leisure  moment,  and  believe 
me  to  be,  my  dear  friend, 

"  Yours,  sincerely, 

"JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mrs.  Suckley.] 

"Philadelphia,  July  30th,  1822. 
v  "  My  dear  Mrs.  Suckley  will  have  almost  given  up  all 
expectation  of  hearing  from  me  again  ;  '  hope  deferred  maketh 
the  heart  sick,'  but  as  this  kind  of  sickness  is  not  unto  death,  I  now 
send  you  a  recipe  for  its  complete  cure,  and  that  is,  '  Read  this 
letter — thank  the  Father  of  Mercies  that  all  is  so  well — and 
close  by  a  prayer  for  the  writer.' 

"  Your  very  welcome  favor  pained,  as  well  as  pleased, — it  was 
written  from  a  sick  chamber ; — this  I  should  have  known  from 
the  perfume  it  brought  with  it,  even  though  you  had  been  silent 
on  the  subject.  Oh !  what  '  fruits  of  righteousness"1  do  these 
afflictions  yield !  I  have  just  finished  a  meal  on  peaches,  but 
their  odour  is  lost  when  put  in  competition  with  that  fragrance  ! 
Some  of  the  choicest  plants  of  God's  right  hand    planting  never 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  379 

give  forth  their  odour  with  half  their  sweets,  till  he  presses  them 
with  his  afflicting  hand  ;  and  hence  the  world  has  always  been 
filled  with  the  rich  perfumes  of  his  suffering  saints  !  May  you 
ever  be  counted  '  worthy  to  suffer  ^ ,'  remembering  that  this  also  is 
the  gift  of  God  ;  for  '  unto  you  it  is  given  in  the  behalf  of  Christ, 
not  only  to  believe,  but  also  to  suffer  ;' — Keep  in  view  the  '  eter- 
nal weight  of  glory,'  and  then  you  will  reckon  '  that  these 
light  afflictions  which  are  but  for  a  moment,  are  not  worthy  to  be 
compared  therewith  !' 

"  With  regard  to  myself,  if  indeed  it  is  worth  while  to  say 
anything  of  one  who  appears  to  be  laid  out  of  sight,  like  useless 
scaffolding,  I  am  in  better  health  than  I  have  been  since  I  left 
you  ;  I  trust  I  recover  a  little  and  a  little  from  day  to  day,  ex- 
cept when  I  suffer  those  drawbacks  to  which  all  persons  in  my 
poor  state  are  subject,  and  which  cannot  be  traced  to  any  as- 
signable cause.  I  do  not  recover  fast,  but  I  hope  it  maybe  the 
more  sure :  I  neither  run,  nor  walk,  nor  creep ;  I  crawl ;  and 
like  the  poor  snail  carry  my  tabernacle  along,  so  slowly,  that  I 
'  often  groan,  being  burdened.''  Were  it  not  for  this  burthen, 
how  soon  should  I  be  with  you !  perhaps  you  doubt  this,  and 
rather  suppose  that  then 

'  My  soul  would  soar  away, 
And  mingle  with  the  blaze  of  day  !' 

Still,  however,  I  trust  I  should  often  be  permitted  to,  accompany 
the  angels  who  are  hovering  around  you,  and  perhaps  privileged 
to  be  one  of  the  ministering  spirits  to  an  heir  of  salvation. 

"  Much — much  have  I  desired  to  see  you,  but  that  seems 
further  off  than  before  !  My  physicians  had  a  meeting  yester- 
day morning,  and  strongly  advised  me  to  give  up  the  idea  of  re- 
turning to  New  York  for  three  or  four  weeks  ;  the  reasons  they 
assigned  convinced  me  of  the  propriety  of  this  measure,  although 


380  LETTERS   OF    THE 

from  their  medical  character  I  could  not  easily  impress  you 
with  them.         *         *         *         * 

"  Ever  your  truly  affectionate  friend, 

"JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Mr.  William  M.  Willett.] 

"  Philadelphia,  Sept.  22d,  1822. 

,"  My  dearest  William — 

"  Think  not  for  one  moment,  I  beseech  you,  that  in  all  my 
long  silence  since  we  parted,  there  was  ever  any  other  feeling 
in  my  heart  toward  you, than  unbounded  anxiety  for  your  wel- 
fare. I  thank  God  that  I  have  often  good  remembrance  of  you 
in  my  prayers  by  night  and  by  day  ;  and  up  to  this  moment,  my 
heart's  desire  and  prayer  for  you  is,  that  you  may  stand  com- 
plete in  all  the  will  of  God.  Circumstances,  however,  over 
which  I  had  no  control,  and  a  series  of  complex  afflictions,  roll- 
ing over  me  like  so  many  billows,  have  conspired  to  retard  my 
writing  to  you,  and  even  now  I  venture  on  it  in  a  situation  as 
distressing  as  ever,  having  a  blister  across  my  breast  at  this  very 
moment  ; — still,  and  although  forbidden  to  write,  I  have  ventured 
to  assure  you  in  this  manner,  even  were  it  but  in  half-a-dozen 
lines,  that  I  love  and  esteem  you,  and  hold  myself  sacredly  bound 
to  watch  over  your  spiritual  interest  for  good. 

"  And  is  it  so,  my  dear  William,  that  your  mouth  has  been 
opened  on  the  behalf  of  him  whose  heart  was  opened  by  the 
soldier's  spear  for  you  ? — What  shall  I  say  !  I  am  lost  in  wonder, 
love,  and  praise  !  May  the  Lord  give  you  the  tongue  of  the 
learned  that  you  may  speak  a  word  in  season  in  his  great 
name  ! — And  all  this  change  within  a  year  ! — a  little  year  ! — 
My  own  heart  cries  out,  what  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for 
all  his  benefits  toward  you  ? 

"  I'll  praise  him  while  he  lends  me  breath  ! 
And  when  my  voice  is  lost  in  death, 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  381 

Praise  shall  employ  my  nobler  powers  ! 
My  days  of  praise  shall  ne'er  be  past, 
While  life,  and  thought,  and  being  last, 
Or  immortality  endures !' 

"  When  I  last  wrote  to  Bishop  McKendree,  I  communicated 
to  him  the  pleasing  intelligence  of  what  the  Lord  had  done  for 
you,  and  he  rejoices  with  me  for  the  consolation. 

"  But  oh  !  my  dear  William,  if  my  anxieties  were  ever 
directed  to  you,  they  are  increased  now  a  hundred  fold  !  '  I 
long  to  be  with  you  now  and  charge  my  voice.'  c  I  am  jealous 
over  you  with  a  godly  jealousy  ;  you  have  begun  well — but  oh, 
my  William,  there  is  an  end,  as  well  as  a  beginning  ;  oh  that  I 
could  but  see  the  end  of  your  course  !  I  am  ambitious  for  you 
beyond  measure,  that  you  may  walk  worthy  of  Him  who  has 
called  you  unto  His  kingdom  and  glory !  Is  your  eye  upon  the 
goal  ?  Do  you  frequently  anticipate  that  welcome  sound, 
'  Well  done  !  Well  done  !  good  and  faithful  servant !  enter  thou 
into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  !'  Do  you  frequently  realize  the  end 
of  your  race  in  the  words  of  him  who  was  faithful  unto  death, 
'  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I 
have  kept  the  faith ."  If  this  would  not  be  the  issue,  I  declare 
to  you,  my  dear  William,  with  all  my  affection  for  you,  I  would 
prefer  to  follow  you  to  your  grave  now,  in  the  bloom  of  life, 
while  you  bear  the  mark  of  him,  '  whose  you  now  are,  and 
whom  you  now  serve  !*  Pardon  me  for  thus  expressing  my 
anxiety  ;  I  am  not  afraid  of  you  if  you  keep  your  eye  upon  the 
Captain  of  our  salvation  !  Never  take  it  off  for  a  moment  to 
look  upon  the  multitude  who  may  hail  you  with  their  plaudits, 
but  with  steady  step  urge  on  your  course,  looking  unto  Jesus! 
If  the  bubble  of  human  applause  follow  you,  thank  God  for  it, 
it  may  make  your  word  the  more  successful  ;  but  never  do  you 
follow  the  bubble  ;  you  will  lose  your  time,  and  perhaps  your 
soul  too.  Live  for  eternity,  and  in  reference  to  this  only,  follow 
after  glory  and  honour,  and  immortality,  and  eternal  life. 


382  LETTERS    OF   THE 

"  But,  my  dear  William,  don't  suppose  that  your  only  danger 
lies  here  ;  you  will  not  always  find  the  path  strewed  with 
flowers.  Branches  of  palm  trees  will  not  always  be  cast  in 
your  way,  nor  the  cries  of  the  multitude,  '  Hosanna  in  the  high- 
est,' accompany  you  to  the  temple  of  the  Lord  !  Think  it  not 
strange  if  these  same  voices  should  sometimes  exclaim,  '  Cru- 
cify him,  crucify  him  !'  Remember  the  servant  is  not  greater 
than  his  Lord ;  and  if  these  things  have  been  done  to  Him,  be 
not  surprised  if  you  are  called  to  walk  in  his  footsteps ;  yea 
count  it  all  joy,  and  rejoice  in  that  you  are  counted  worthy  to 
suffer  shame  for  the  sake  of  Him  who  loveth  you.  You  maybe 
evil  spoken  of — many  mouths  will  now  be  opened,  and  your 
motives  and  actions  may  be  misconstrued — some,  perhaps, 
whom  you  now  call  '  brethren,'  may  deal  deceitfully  with  you 
— clouds  and  darkness  may  thicken  about  your  path,  and  Satan 
who  delights  to  fish  in  troubled  waters,  may  tempt  you  to  draw 
back,  and  suggest  that  you  have  deceived  yourself;  but,  oh, 
William,  let  none  of  these  things  move  you  !  Endure  hardness 
as  a  good  soldier  !  Suffer  no  man  to  despise  your  youth  ;  allow 
him  no  opportunity  for  scandalizing  you  by  word  or  deed  ;  be 
kind,  humble,  loving  to  all ;  be  gentle  even  to  the  froward,  and 
put  on  the  spirit  of  meekness.  In  every  Satanic  temptation  ^/fy 
to  the  throne  of  grace  ;  never  reason  one  moment  with  the 
enemy  ;  appeal  to  God  in  your  closet  for  the  sincerity  of  your 
intentions  ;  keep  clean  hands  and  a  pure  heart,  and  God  will 
put  Satan  under  your  feet,  and  give  you  the  final  victory  !  0 
William,  '  keep  that  which  is  committed  to  thy  trust.'  Fare 
thee  well  !  Write  to  me  speedily,  and  be  assured  of  the 
prayers  and  affection  of  your  fellow-servant  in  the  kingdom  and 
patience  of  Jesus. 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


BEV>    JOHN   SUMMEKFIELD.  383 

[To  Doctor  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  New  York,  Oct.  25th,  1822. 

"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  It  seems  an  age  since  I  left  you,  and,  indeed,  I  can  hardly 
convince  myself  that  it  is  no  more  than  two  little  weeks.  I 
had  been  favoured  for  so  long  a  time  with  a  daily  visit  from  you, 
after  I  had  been  previously  conversant  with  you  face  to  face  almost 
all  the  day  long  while  in  the  bosom  of  your  family,  that  I  sensi- 
bly feel  my  loss.  Indeed,  it  is  no  great  wonder  if  my  spirits  flag 
in  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  when  I  have  no  prospect,  as  here- 
tofore, of  a  visit  from  one  whose  presence  generally  revived  me 
like  a  cordial,  when  in  the  most  melancholy  mood.  However, 
I  do  feel  a  momentary  relief  when  conversing  with  you  by  a 
letter ;  the  distance  between  us  appears  to  be  overcome,  and  I 
can  almost  fancy  myself  in  my  lovely  chamber  at  the  house  of 
my  estimable  friends  in  Eighth  street.  My  dream,  however, 
will  be  as  short  as  it  is  illusory,  and  when  I  wake  up  from  my 
reverie  and  seal  my  sheet,  I  shall  again  find  myself  alone. 

"  You  will  readily  conclude,  my  dear  Doctor,  that  the  me- 
grims have  taken  hold  of  me ;  but  not  so.  The  time  of  separation 
from  my  friends  is  drawing  near,  and  the  nearer  it  approaches, 
the  greater  coward  do  I  discover  myself  to  be.  At  a  distance 
of  time  from  the  afflicting  moment,  I  was  all  buckram  and 
swagger  about  my  West  Indies  adventures.  I  dipped  the  live- 
liest pencil  of  my  imagination  in  the  colours  of  the  rainbow,  and 
painted  many  an  animating  picture  ;  but  now  the  rainbow  is 
vanished,  and  blackness  and  gloom  have  spread  over  every  line  I 
drew.  My  feelings  when  I  first  approached  the  shores  of  these 
favoured  states  were  not  to  be  described.  I  rejoiced  in  hope  ! 
But  then  I  had  no  friendships  formed — no  other  loves  had  min- 
gled with  my  own — all  was  untried  ; — but  now,  how  changed 
the  scene  !  So  soon  to  be  driven  from  the  fond  embrace  of 
those  who  '  received  me   as  an  angel  of  God,  yea,  as  Christ 


384  LETTERS   OF   THE 

Jesus,' — from  those  who  f  would  have  plucked  out  their  own 
eyes  and  given  them  to  me!'  Oh !  Doctor,  it  is  too  much ! 
Forgive  me  if  I  pause  a  while. 

"  But,  come — we  shall  meet  again.  We  will  not  sorrow  as 
those  who  have  no  hope.  All  will  be  well.  To  live  is  Christ, 
to  die  is  gain  ;  living  or  dying  we  are  the  Lord's  !  Look  up — 
there  remaineth  a  rest — oh,  the  rest — the  rest !  There  the  inha- 
bitants no  more  say,  '  I  am  sick !'  God  bless  you,  my  dear, 
dear  Doctor ! — your  love  to  me  was  wonderful !  May  my 
Lord  do  that  for  you  which  I  am  too  poor  to  do, — reward  you 
a  hundred — a  thousand  fold  !     God  bless  you  and  all  your  house ! 

"  I  know  not  where  this  strain  would  lead  me.  It  makes 
me  play  the  woman ;  but  Jesus  wept  at  parting  with  his  friend, 
even  in  the  full  prospect  of  an  immediate  reunion.  With  me 
that  is  uncertain  ;  but  we  will  hope  : — '  we  are  saved  by  hope.' 
*****  And  now,  my  dear  Doctor,  pray  for  me,  that  I 
may  be  restored  to  you  by  the  will  of  God,  and  that  we  may 
yet  have  joy  together,  according  to  the  days  wherein  we  have 
had  sorrow.     Farewell ! 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  New  York,  6th  Dec,  1822. 
"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  It  is  probable  I  may  take  my  passage  in  a  vessel  to  sail 
in  about  ten  days  for  Leghorn  in  Italy  ;  this  would  bring  me  im- 
mediately into  a  warm  latitude  ;  instead  of.  going  to  Havre  in 
the  north  of  France,  and  thence  proceeding  southward,  with  the 
prospect  of  measuring  the  same  ground  back  again  in  the  approach- 
ing spring,  I  should  now  go  directly  south,  and  advance  northward 
through  France  as  the  cuckoo  shall  invite,  and  the  bud  of  vege- 
tation expand  from  one   degree  of  latitude  to  another.      We 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMEKFIELD.  385 

should  remain  four  or  five  days  at  Gibraltar,  and  expect  to  arrive 
in  Italy  about  1st  February. 

"  Although  I  cannot  say  concerning  myself  what  the  Almighty 
said  to  Job  concerning  the  war-horse,  '  he  swalloweth  the 
ground'  in  his  intenseness  for  the  goal  of  destination,  and  makes 
no  account  of  all  the  space  between,  yet  I  have  often  rambled 
on  the  classic  soil,  and  tramped  the  pathway  to  the  Three 
Taverns,  where  Paul  discovered  that  Jesus  Christ  had  been  in 
Rome  before  him,  thanked  God,  and  took  courage. 

"  But  you  will  think  me  too  sentimental  if  I  say  more  ;  suf- 
fice it  that  my  mind,  amidst  all  the  pleasurable  scenes  which 
fancy  paints  before  it,  fixes  upon  none  with  half  the  intensity 
that  it  rests  upon  the  picture  of  its  return  ;  it  is  only  this  that 
reconciles  it  to  a  temporary  remove  ;  the  scenes  of  France  and 
Italy  exist  but  in  my  imagination  ;  but  other  scenes  have  left  an 
indent  upon  my  heart. 

"  Please  make  my  respects  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Comegys ;  I  receiv- 
ed the   letter  Mr.  C- was  kind  enough  to  forward  me  by 

Jacob,  but  without  seeing  him  ;  I  understand  he  passed  on  the 
same  day  ;  if  matters  of  business  were  the  cause  of  his  speedy 
departure  I  could  scarcely  excuse  him,  as  none  but  a  royal 
courier  need  be  so  expeditious  ;  '  the  King's  business  is  urgent ;' 
but  being  able  to  account  for  it  on  the  '  principles  of  attraction,' 
and  those  being  a  part  of  the  law  of  nature,  I  felt  quite  recon- 
ciled. 

"  What  has  become  of  Thomas  ?  Does  he  keep  his  residence 
continually  on  Mount  Parnassus  among  the  demi-gods  of  Greek 
and  Roman  origin  ?  If  you  ever  see  him,  if  he  occasionally 
visits  the  '  vale  below,'  tell  him  that  I  should  be  glad  if  he 
could  obtain  a  dispensation  from  Messrs.  Homer  and  Virgil  for 
a  little  time  to  write  a  line  or  two  at  least.  My  best  respects 
to  Mrs.  S.,  &c.  &c. 

"  Believe  me  ever 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 
2l 


386  LETTERS    OF    THE 

As  everything  relating  to  this  lamented  youth  is  contemplated 
with  interest  by  the  lovers  of  piety  and  admirers  of  genius,  we 
submit  the  following  extract  from  his  correspondence  with  the 
Rev.  John  (late  Bishop)  Emory. 

New  York,  Dec.  19th,  1822. 
"  My  dear  brother  Emory — 

"  Your  truly  affectionate  letter  came  to  hand  and  was  in- 
deed a  treasury  of  comfort  and  consolation,  under  the  severe 
stroke  which  had  been  applied  in  the  tenderest  part  in  which 
the  providence  of  God  could  have  afflicted  me.  But  my  dear 
— my  only  parent  still  lives  !  He  lives  to  ask  for  blessings  on 
his  child  !  I  have  been  Benoni  in  time  past,  but  now  he  calls 
me  Benjamin.  Oh, that  I  may  not  only  be  the  son  of  his  right 
hand,  but  held  as  a  star  in  the  right  hand  of  Him  who  illuminates 
the  churches  !  My  dear  father  is  fast  recovering  ;  his  limbs  have 
resumed  their  vigour,  and  his  speech  is  gradually,  though 
slowly  improving.  My  mind  is  now  at  rest ;  if  he  live,  I 
know  he  will  live  unto  the  Lord  ;  and  if  he  die,  I  have  full  as- 
surance he  will  die  unto  him  ;  life  or  death  is  gain  !  I  sincerely 
sympathize  with  you  in  your  loss* — her  gain  :  and  yet  why 
mourn  we  ?  '  How  happy  are  the  faithful  dead  !'  If  we  be- 
lieve that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them  also  which 
sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him  !  Comfort  we  one  ano- 
ther with  these  words,  not  only  in  the  loss  of  relatives  and 
friends,  but  in  prospect  of  our  approaching  change  ;  for  though 

1  An  angel's  hand  can't  snatch  us  from  the  grave, 
Legions  of  angels  can't  confine  us  there  !' 

Thanks  be  to  God  who  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ." — JEmory'>s  Life,  p.  139. 


Alluding  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Emory's  mother. 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMEKFIELD.  387 

[To  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Sargent.] 

"  New  York,  Dec.  22,  1822. 

"  My  dear  Thomas — 

"  This  letter  will  announce  to  you  my  departure  to  a  foreign 
and  far-distant  shore.  To-morrow,  and  I  am  gone.  This  can- 
not, I  am  sure,  be  matter  of  grief  to  my  friend.  Your  eye  will 
pierce  the  cloud  which  envelopes  this  dispensation  of  Provi- 
dence, and  you  will  see  all  things  working  together  for  good. 
Now  that  I  am  at  last  gone,  you  will  begin  to  anticipate  my 
return.  I  regret  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  antedate  the 
months,  and  thus  accelerate  even  the  rapid  flight  of  time  :  but 
if  we  continue  to  pray  for  one  another,  and  that  without  ceas- 
ing, many  a  long  and  otherwise  tedious  term  will  be  overcome ; 
for  the  words  of  the  poet  will  apply  to  the  fleetness  as  well  as 
sweetness  of  the  moments  thus  employed.  Talcing  the  liberty, 
therefore,  to  alter  the  first  word  of  the  stanza,  let  us  sing, — 

1  Swift  the  moments — rich  in  blessing — 
Which  before  the  cross  we  spend.' 

Meet  me  there,  my  dear  friend,  day  by  day ;  let  us  blend  our 
prayers  together,  and  may  our  common  Lord  fill  us  with  like 
precious  faith,  like  glorious  hope,  like  perfect  love! 

"  When  I  call  to  remembrance  the  unfeigned  faith,  which 
dwelt  first  in  thy  father  and  mother,  and  I  am  persuaded  in 
thee  also,  I  cease  not  to  give  thanks  for  thee  in  my  prayers 
night  and  day  ;  wherefore,  also,  I  put  thee  in  remembrance, 
that  thou  stir  up  the  gift  of  God  that  is  in  thee.  Preach  the 
Word.  Be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season.  Do  the  work  of 
an  Evangelist ;  make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry.  Reprove,  re- 
buke, exhort,  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine.  Let  no  man 
despise  thy  youth,  but  be  thou  an  ensample  to  the  believers,  in 
word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity. 
Oh !  my  dear  Thomas,  keep  that  which  is  committed  to  thee. 


388  LETTERS   OF   THE 

giving  thanks  unto  God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  that  he  counted  thee  faithful,  putting  thee  into  the  mi- 
nistry, according  to  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed  God  which, 
is  committed  to  thy  trust.  Grace  be  with  thee !  Amen  and 
amen !        *         *         *         *         * 

"  Having  so  little  time,  and  so  much  yet  to  do,  I  bid  you  a 
sweet  farewell. 

"  Ever  sincerely  and  affectionately  yours, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker.] 

"Marseilles,  8th  Feb.,  1823. 
"  My  ever-valued  Friend — 

*  *  *  *  "  You  will  have  heard  previous  hereto  of  my 
safe  and  speedy  voyage.  Its  despatch  exceeded  all  that  I  could 
have  hoped  for  in  the  most  sanguine  moments  of  my  anticipa- 
tion. It  has,  I  am  persuaded,  called  forth  your  thanksgivings 
on  my  behalf ;  for  I  feel  I  am  remembered  in  your  approaches 
to  Him  who  seeth  in  secret.  Do  help  me  to  praise  the  Lord  ! 
Let  us  exalt  his  holy  name  together  ! 

"  It  cannot  be  supposed  that  a  residence  in  this  country  of 
but  a  few  days,  and  those  spent  in  the  confined  precincts  of  a 
lazaretto,  can  afford  anything  interesting  to  communicate.  In- 
deed, were  it  otherwise,  I  should  scarcely  indulge  on  any  other 
than  my  own  progress  or  retrograde  in  health  and  strength,  with 
their  attendants ;  nor  should  I  fear  the  charge  of  egotism  from 
you,  as  I  believe  I  could  not  interest  you  more  than  by  confining 
myself  principally  to  this  topic.  But  independent  of  the  rela- 
tion of  friend,  in  which  you  stand  endeared  to  me  by  many 
ties,  your  professional  character  will  in  some  degree  be  my  war- 
rant for  enlarging  on  this  subject  more  than  any  other,  and  will 
sometimes  also  be  my  excuse  for  making  some  remarks  there- 
on fitted  for  no  other  eye  than  your  own. 


RfcV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  389 

"  Since  leaving  the  ship  I  have  improved  more  than  during 
the  whole  voyage.  Indeed,  I  seem  now  to  be  reaping  its  bene- 
ficial effects ;  and  although,  as  I  have  already  hinted,  I  am  at 
present  incarcerated  in  a  French  lazaretto,  I  am  daily  improv- 
ing in  health  of  body,  and  what  is  much  better — increasing  l  in 
love  and  in  power,  and  in  a  sound  mind.'  Indeed,  in  my  ap- 
proaches to  a  Throne  of  Grace,  I  am  generally  so  carried  out 
of  myself,  and  lost  in  the  '  fullness  of  Him  who  filleth  all  in 
all,1  that  I  have  to  endeavour  to  call  to  mind  afterwards  what 
petition  I  had  presented  to  Him  who  says,  'ask  what  ye  will.' 
Often  am  I  unable  to  remember  that  I  presented  any  request 
whatever.  Prayer  has  been  converted  into  continued  praise, 
and  'tis  only  afterwards  that  I  have  found  '  I  had  asked  nothing.' 
I  find  that,  even  here,  earth  can  be  transformed  into  heaven.'''' 


[To  his  Father.] 

"  Marseilles,  28th  Feb.,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Father — 

"  Although  this  letter  can  be  esteemed  little  more  than  a 
wrapper  to  the  enclosed  pacquette,  yet  you  will,  I  am  persuaded, 
set  more  value  upon  it  than  it  deserves  on  account  of  the  rela- 
tion which  the  writer  of  it  bears  to  you." 

"  a  chief  reason  why  I  preferred  to  write  by 
the  Argus,  was,  that  I  might  be  able  to  inform  you  of  my  hav- 
ing left  the  Lazaretto,  which  I  did  yesterday,  in  good  health,  and 
with  a  grateful  heart."  *  *  * 

"  The  circumstance  of  my  deliverance  herefrom,  under  such 
favourable  auspices,  will,  I  am  persuaded,  be  matter  of  thanks- 
giving to  the  God  of  all  comfort  and  consolation,  in  your 
approaches  to  His  mercy  seat !  He  has  numbered  the  hairs  of 
my  head,  and  spieth  out  all  my  ways  !  I  shall  not  leave  this 
city  for  at  least  a  fortnight,  until  Captain  Mason  leaves  his  qua- 
2l2 


390  LETTERS    OF    THE 

rantine,  as  I  wish  to  see  him — meantime,  I  purpose  visiting 
Montpelier  for  a  few  days,  and  returning  here  again,  and  after- 
wards going  to  Nismes  and  again  returning  here ;  this  will 
occupy  me  till  that  time  expires.  My  chief  object  in  going  to 
these  two  places  is  to  make  a  visit  to  two  clergymen  who  have 
been  spoken  of  to  me  as  the  flower  of  France,  and  from  whom  I 
have  received  warm  solicitations  to  spend  some  time  before  I 
proceed  Northward.  I  have  also  been  favoured  with  some  truly 
Christian  letters  from  Paris,  while  confined  here ;  I  anticipate  a 
warm  and  cordial  reception  when  I  arrive  in  that  city, — although 
it  may  ba  said  to  be  in  many  respects  '  the  place  where  Satan's 
seat  is  :'  yet  there  are  '  a  few  names  even  there,  who  have  not 
defiled  their  garments.'  I  do  not  expect  to  arrive  there  much 
before  the  anniversary  of  the  Paris  Bible  Society,  which  falls  on 
the  16th  of  April ;  meantime,  I  have  forwarded  the  documents 
with  which  I  was  honoured  by  the  American  Bible  Society. — 
Early  in  the  month  of  May  I  hope  to  arrive  in  England."  *  *  * 

"  The  few  lines  which  I  received  from  my  friends  in  Walker 
street  by  the  Virginia,  contained  intelligence  of  so  afflicting  a 
nature  as  to  need  no  enlargement ;  indeed  I  almost  wished  that 
the  vessel  had  not  arrived.  The  continuance  of  your  illness  has 
been  matter  of  grief  indeed  to  me,  separated  from  you  as  I  now 
am,  and  likely  to  remain  for  a  short  time  longer  ;  but  I  know 
there  is  One  who  will  be  better  to  you  than  all  my  fears !  I 
hesitate  at  the  very  onset  of  my  endeavour  to  administer  any 
consolation ; — nothing  that  /  could  say  would  be  new  to  yow, 
and  I  shall  therefore  only  make  known  my  requests  on  your  be- 
half to  Him  who  is  the  daily  witness  of  my  prayers  and  thanks- 
givings. 

"  Yes,  my  dear  father,  all  will  be  well !  Life  or  death  is 
gain  !  You  have  a  strong  arm  to  lean  upon, — 'tis  not  an  arm 
of  flesh ! 

"  Now  'tis  for  you  to  comfort  yourself  with  the  same  comfort 
which  you  have  often  administered  to  others  ; — nay,  I  cannot 
doubt,  but  you  are  comforted  of  God !     My  constant  petition  is 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  391 

that  we  may  both  be  spared  to  meet  again  in  the  flesh  before 
we  go  hence  to  be  no  more  seen  of  men  ;  everything  else  I  sub- 
mit to  Him  who  knows  what  is  best,  and  who  is  too  wise  to  err 
— too  good  to  be  unkind — but  this  petition  I  present  without 
ceasing,  and  to  this  I  cannot  yet  say — '  but  if  not — thy  will  be 
done  !'  Oh,  no  ! — let  us  meet  again, — and  then,  whether  it  is  I 
or  you  who  may  be  hence  removed,  we  will  endeavour  submis- 
sively to  say,  '  now  lcttest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace  !' — 
Oh,  my  dear  father,  death  is  treading  upon  our  heels — yet 
'  death  is  ours,  for  we  are  Christ's  !' 

"  I  will  write  to  you  again  by  my  next  conveyance  ;  mean- 
time remain, 

"  Ever  your  affectionate  child, 

"  JOHN." 


[To  Hi3  Family.] 

"  Marseilles,  4th  March,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Family — 

"  Although  I  sent  you  all  letters  by  the  Otter  on  Saturday 
last,  and  by  the  Argus  on  Sunday,  and  this  is  only  Tuesday,  yet, 
hearing  of  another  Boston  vessel  which  sails  hence  to-morrow,  I 
cannot  deny  myself  this  opportunity  of  sending  at  least  one  letter  ; 
and  when  I  send  only  one  letter  to  America,  to  whom  should  I 
so  naturally  address  myself  as  to  you  ?  Embracing  each  and 
every  of  you  in  my  warmest  affections,  I  address  you  all,  and 
sincerely  pray  that  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  may  be  multiplied 
toward  you  from  God  our  Father,  and  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ! 

"  This  day  I  have  removed  to  my  new  lodgings,  of  which  I 
spoke  in  my  last,  and  Mr.  Cunningham  is  still  my  chum.  They 
appear  very  comfortable  indeed,  and  have  much  more  the 
appearance  of  home  than  the  '  Hotel  des  Empereurs.'  They  are 
situated  in  a  square  similar  to  Merrion  square  in  Dublin,  but  in 
many  respects  superior ;  at  the  upper  end   there  is  a  delightful 


392  LETTERS   OF   THE 

play  of  water  spouts  upon  a  little  island  made  by  an  artificial 
canal  round  about,  and  a  great  variety  of  figures  through  which 
the  '  jets  d'eau'  are  conveyed  ;  chiefly,  however,  through  the 
mouths  of  a  number  of  large  artificial  frogs,  placed  on  the  bank 
of  the  canal,  &c.  I  can  give  you  no  just  description  of  the  taste 
which  the  French  display  in  their  water-works, — they  are  in- 
deed fine  to  a  proverb,  and  this  city  is  full  of  them.  Our  apart- 
ments are  in  what  is  called  the  neio  city,  which  is  as  much  supe- 
rior to  the  old  as  Westminster  to  London  ; — indeed,  I  cannot 
tell  you  how  much  I  am  pleased  with  them ;  we  were  obliged 
to  take  them  for  a  month,  as  the  lady  would  not  dispose  of  them 
for  a  shorter  time,  so  that  it  is  not  unlikely  I  may  remain  here 
till  the  1st  of  April ;  indeed  if  I  continue  to  do  as  well  as  I  have 
done,  I  shall  think  my  time  is  as  well  employed  here  as  else- 
where. I  have  not  yet  commenced  horse-riding,  but  expect  to 
do  so  in  a  few  days. 

"  As  I  have  nothing  of  importance  to  add  to  my  last  letters,  I 
may  as  well  describe  to  you  everything  connected  with  our  new 
arrangements ;  it  will  serve  you  for  chit-chat  round  your  fire- 
side. 

"  We  have  a  very  comfortable  sitting-room,  and  two  large 
bed  chambers,  all  furnished  in  a  very  neat,  though  not  extrava- 
gant manner ;  we  have  three  side  closets,  in  addition,  for  our 
pantry  and  clothes  rooms.  For  all  these  we  pay  eighty  francs 
per  month,  which  is  considered  very  cheap  ;  we  also  pay  eight- 
een francs  per  month  to  the  servant  for  attending  us,  mak- 
ing up  our  apartments,  &c.  Our  plan  is,  to  make  our  own 
breakfast  and  tea ;  we  are  furnished  with  all  necessary  appa- 
ratus, and  boil  the  water,  &c,  at  our  own  fire — the  servant 
bringing  us  in  groceries,  &c,  &c.  We  dine  out  every  day  at  a 
'  Restaurateurs;' — the  variety  which  is  presented  to  us  there 
affords  us  an  opportunity  of  selecting  soups,  meats,  desserts,  &c, 
at  a  much  less  expense  than  we  could  obtain  them  any  other 
way.       This  is  indeed  going  upon  the  most  economical  scale, 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  393 

and  does  well  for  both  of  us — for  we  both  find  that  our  purses 
are  not  without  a  bottom. 

"  By  this  plan,  also,  we  have  the  advantage  of  eating  at  our 
accustomed  hours,  which  are  much  mere  pleasing  than  those  of 
the  French ;  their  hour  of  breakfast  is  one,  and  of  dinner  seven — 
whereas,  we  are  generally  dining  in  the  same  apartment  with 
many  who  are  but  at  breakfast. 

"  I  have  now  spent  one  Sunday  in  Marseilles  ! — I  say  Sun- 
day,— for  it  ought  not  to  be  called  a  Sabbath — the  heathen 
name  is  much  more  fit  to  be  applied  to  it  in  this  city  !  In  the 
forenoon  I  went  to  the  Reformed  Protestant  Church  ;  it  is  the 
only  one  of  any  other  kind  here  except  Roman  Catholic  ; — it  is 
not  Episcopal,  but  Presbyterian  in  its  government : — but  how 
shall  I  picture  to  you  the  scene  !  I  will  not  attempt  it ;  but  I 
sincerely  fear  that  our  Lord's  words  to  the  woman  of  Samaria 
may  be  applied  even  to  them.  '  Ye  worship  ye  know  not  what !' 
They  had  no  afternoon  service  ;  I  therefore  walked  after  dinner 
to  the  Catholic  Church  of  Notre  Dame,  situated  on  an  immense 
eminence  outside  the  city;  I  cannot  tell  you  its  height  now,  but 
I  shall  learn  it  before  I  leave  the  place  ;  its  difficult  access  has 
rendered  all  prayers  and  penances  said  and  done  there  doubly 
efficacious,  as  we  were  informed  by  a  great  placard  affixed  at  its 
entrance  by  the  Vicar  General ;  among  other  things  he  tells  us 
that  the  Virgin  Mary  has  peculiarly  owned  the  place,  and 
granted  innumerable  favours  to  those  who  have  worshipped  her 
there ;  a  list  of  indulgences  was  affixed  to  the  document,  of 
which  I  think  the  least  was,  a  remission  of  tico  hundred  days  in 
purgatory  to  any  one  who  says  five  Ave  Marias  on  five  succes- 
sive Saturdays,  and  that  this  remission  can  be  transferred  for  the 
relief  of  any  soul  in  purgatory  whom  they  wish  to  serve  by  this 
post  mortem  deed  !  !  And  can  any  be  so  imposed  upon  at  this 
enlightened  day  ?  Yes — it  is  too  true  !  Many  were  there 
prostrated  before  the  image  of  the  beast !  My  very  heart 
ached — 1  heaved  a  sigh,  and  turned  back  to  this  unhappy  city — 
unhappy,  indeed,  amid  all  the  natural  advantages  with  which  it 


394  LETTERS    OF    THE 

is  so  richly  furnished.  In  the  evening  the  theatres  were  open, 
and  the  people  flocked  there  to  crown  the  devotions  of  this 
sacred  day ! 

"  Oh,  how  I  long  to  meet  a  people  who  love  and  fear  God  ! 
If  I  had  the  wings  of  a  dove,  I  would  fly  away  and  be  at  rest. 
England  should  soon  find  me  on  her  happy  shores.  I  shall  want 
more  powerful  help  than  this  to  bring  me  back  again  to  you  ; 
but  when  the  ship  shall  spread  her  stouter  wings,  and  I  turn  my 
face  to  that  city  where  my  affections  still  are,  I  shall  pray  that 
the  winds  of  heaven  may  fill  every  sail,  and  bring  me  to  the  re- 
newed embrace  of  those  who  still  retain  in  their  affections  the 
remembrance  of  their  friend  and  brother, 

"  JOHN." 

[To  his  Father.] 

"  Marseilles,  23d  March,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Father — 

#  #  #  *  «  -phg  painful  intelligence  of  your  continued 
illness  so  absorbs  every  other  consideration  that  I  have  almost 
lost  sight  of  my  own,  and  had  nearly  concluded  to  return  to 
New  York  without  proceeding  any  farther :  I  however  expe- 
rienced some  relief  from  Ellen's  letter,  which  speaks  more 
favourably.         *         *  * 

"  In  the  midst  of  all  my  grief,  however,  I  have  endeavoured  to 
cherish  a  hope  that  you  are  now  improving ;  and  the  more  I 
bring  the  matter  before  the  throne  of  Grace,  the  stronger  is  my 
confidence  that  we  shall  be  spared  to  see  each  other  in  the  flesh 
once  more,  before  our  final  meeting  among  the  general  assembly 
and  church  of  the  first-born  which  are  written  in  heaven  ;  this 
reconciles  me  to  continue  my  journey  to  England,  and  as  far  as 
I  have  light  upon  my  path,  I  believe  I  have  the  accompanying 
blessing  and  presence  of  Him  whose  I  am,  and  whom  I  serve. 
I  trust,  my  dear  father,  you  have  not   found  the  fiery  trial  too 


REV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  395 

strong  a  test  of  that  sure  hope  and  confidence  in  '  Him  who  doeth 
all  things  well,'  which  I  know  you  have  long  experienced  ;  the 
furnace  has  been  heated  seven  times  hotter  than  usual,  if,  as  Mr. 
B.  says,  '  all  your  former  afflictions  were  not  to  be  compared  to 
this' — but  still  you  have  not  walked  through  it  alone  ; — the  Son 
of  Man  has  entered  with  you — 

1  He  knows  what  sore  afflictions  mean, 
For  he  hath  felt  the  same !' 

Oh,  what  seasons  are  these  to  admire  the  relation  in  which  the 
Saviour  of  men  stands  to  us ! — He  is  a  High  Priest,  who  is 
touched  with  our  sufferings,  because  he  was  made  in  all  points 
like  unto  us  ;  bone  of  our  bone,  and  flesh  of  our  flesh.  He  does 
not  speculate  upon  our  afflictions,  but  from  His  own  experience 
knows  how  much  we  can  bear,  and  is  careful  that  no  greater 
trials  shall  befall  us  than  such  as  we  are  able  to  bear,  ever 
promising  us — 'My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee  !'  May  you, 
my  dear  father,  experience  the  strength  of  the  Mighty  One  resting 
upon  you  !  '  Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation  !'  for 
when  he  is  tried,  he  shall  receive  a  crown  of  life — a  crown  of 
glory  which  fadeth  not  away  !  A  few  more  sufferings,  and  the 
cup  will  be  emptied !  Oh,  my  father,  though  you  have  drunk  of  it 
deeply,  yet  do  not  stop  at  the  dregs — do  not  turn  your  head 
aside  from  the  nauseous  sediment  which  remains  ; — it  will  soon 
be  over  ;  rejoice  that  you  are  counted  worthy  to  suffer,  and  as 
we  have  seen  in  your  example  what  it  is  to  live,  let  us  also  learn 
what  it  is  to  die.  But,  oh  that  this  lesson  may  be  kept  back  for 
many  seasons  yet  to  come  !  May  we  still  be  spared  together, 
to  reap  joy  for  every  scene  in  which  we  have  felt  sorrow — and 
at  last  all  brought  home  in  the  same  chariot  to  Elijah's  God,  to 
be  ever  with  the  Lord  !  * 

"  Very  affectionately,  my  dear  father,  your 

"  JOHN." 


396  LETTERS   OF   THEi 

[To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent.] 

"  Paris,  17th  April,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Thomas — 

"  Your  sweet  letter  arrived  before  I  left  Marseilles,  and 
was  as  refreshing  as  a  water  spring  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land.  I 
intended  to  have  opened  the  way  by  first  writing  to  you,  and 
had  already  appointed  to  do  so  from  this  city  ; — but  you  have 
the  pre-eminence  ;  I  do  sincerely  thank  you  for  this  renewed 
token  of  your  love,  and  in  return  salute  you  with  all  the  warmth 
of  Christian  affection  of  which  my  poor  heart  is  susceptible. 

"  I  was  glad  to  find  that  you  had  anticipated  my  wishes  in 
furnishing  me  with  so  many  and  so  interesting  particulars  re- 
specting yourself:  never  forget,  my  dear  Thomas,  that  I  expect 
you  always  to  be  the  hero  in  all  your  correspondence,  as  much 
as  Eneas  is  in  Virgil ;  every  other  person,  matter  or  thing,  may 
come  in  by  way  of  episode,  but  I  cannot  permit  that  I  should 
lose  sight  of  you  by  any  long  digressions.  I  have  rejoiced, — 
yea, and  luill rejoice, — that  your  Providential  path  shines  brighter, 
the  more  you  follow  and  observe  His  hand, 

'  Who  points  the  stars  their  course, 
Whom  sun  and  moon  obey  !' 

"  I  follow  you  through  every  scene,  and  sympathize  with  your 

every  feeling  ; — the  kindness  of  brother  B is  not  more  than 

I  expected  from  what  had  passed  between  him  and  me  respecting 
you  ; — but,  my  dear  Thomas,  you  know  the  friendship  of  Him 
who  sticketh  even  closer  than  a  brother  !  He  invites  you  to  all 
the  sweets  of  this  holy  relation,  '  the  friend  of  God  P — 'Tis  the 
tenderest — 'tis  the  most  exalted — to  which  mortal  can  be  raised  ! 
It  surpasses  the  privilege  of  a  son,  though  that  entails  the  inherit- 
ance, for  '  if  sons,  then  heirs  ;' — it  is  the  manhood  of  a  child  of 
God  ! — it  is  the   privilege  of  admission  into  the  secret  chambers 


KEV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  397 

of  the  King  Invisible  ! — Oh,  my  Thomas,  it  is — and  yet  I  cannot 
utter  it ;  but  lfeel  it ; — examine  the  principles  of  the  friendship 
which  subsists  in  kindred  souls, — say  David  and  Jonathan, — 
refine  it  of  its  earthliness,  and  cast  away  the  dregs  of  selfishness, — 
don't  be  afraid  that  it  will  volatilize  into  ether  too  pure  to 
realize, — a  precious  essence  will  remain  ; — now  make  '  the  High 
and  Holy  One'  one  party,  and  see  an  earth-born  worm  the  other .' 
What  ardour  of  mutual  love  !  What  openness, — what  ingenu- 
ousness,— what  frankness, — what  confidence,  on  the  part  of  the 
creature  !  What  complacency, — what  stability  on  the  part  of 
the  Creator  !  While  the  one  exclaims  in  the  midst  of  human 
weakness,  '  Lord  !  all  I  am  is  known  to  thee  !' — the  other  calms 
the  rising  fear  with  the  sweet  response,  yet  all  Jam  is  thine! 

"  But  I  arrest  myself ;  I  am  getting  into  depths  which  I  can- 
not fathom,  and  yet  into  which  I  delight  to  plunge  ! — Oh,  the  full- 
ness— the  bottomless  abyss — the  depth  ! — Does  my  Thomas 
often  here 

'  Bathe  his  weary  soul  V 

'  Does  he  thirst, — and  faint, — and  die,  to  prove 
The  greatness  of  redeeming  love  V 

1  He  shall  be  filled'—'  The  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it' — 

"  I  regret  to  read  in  your  letter  the  ill  state  of  health  of  my 
dear  friends  in  Eighth  street ; — still  in  the  furnace  ? — and  still 
unconsumed  ? — surely  the  Son  of  man  is  with  them  ;  their  heav- 
enly Father  would  now  teach  them  deep  things  ! — Though  the 
chapter  of  afflictions  contains  many  things  hard  to  be  understood, 
yet  this  should  not  discourage  or  make  us  faint  therein ; — it  is 
one  of  the  finishing  lessons, — for  even  'Christ  was  made  perfect 
through  sufferings  !'  I  confess  we  are  naturally  fond  of  turning 
over,  like  a  schoolboy,  and  beginning  a  new  page  ;  but  '  the  old 
is  better;'' — with  regard  to  myself,  I  often  fear  that  I  have 
thumbed  it  so  much,  as  to  render  illegible  some  of  the  lines,  and 
2  m 


398  LETTERS   OF   THE 

that  I  am  kept  at  the  old  place  till  I  spell  them  out ;  may  the 
Lord  help  me  by  His  spirit  to  commit  to  heart  these  deep  things 
of  God  ! — And  may  my  dear  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C ,  out  of  weak- 
ness be  made  strong,  and  know  with  me  that 

'Afflictions  from  His  sovereign  hand, 
Are  blessings  in  disguise !' 

"  My  health  will  be  inquired  after  among  your  friends  :  well, 
I  find  myself  gaining  strength  every  day  ;  I  find  the  rouge  of 
nature  returning  to  my  livid  cheeks,  and  I  think  if  I  were  weighed 
I  should  be  many  pounds  heavier  ;  but — (and  these  '  buts^mar 
everything) — my  cough  continues,  yet  that  is  somewhat  im- 
proved ;  at  times  I  think  that  it  is  the  door  through  which  my 
spirit  will  ere  long  take  its  flight :  it  is  an  open  door,  and  unless 
Providence  should  close  it,  I  cannot  hope  for  long  life — I  am  in 
His  hands ;  He  will  do  all  things  well  !  *         * 

"  Remember  me  to  your  father  most  affectionately,  as  also  to 
your  good  mother, — yours,  and  mine  !  Oh,  that  my  dear  Thomas 
may  never  need  the  attentions  of  a  stranger  as  I  did  in  Race 
street,  when  his  own  mother  is  no  more  ! — and  yet,  should  such 
need  require  it,  may  he  find  some  stranger's  hand  to  bear  him 
up,  and  cheat  him  off  a  mother's  loss  !  as  I  did  at  that  awful 
hour  !  Remember  me  to  your  brothers  and  sisters,  also  to  any 
other  friends  that  may  inquire. 

"  Ever  sincerely  and  affectionately  yours, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  the  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent.] 

"  Liverpool,  24lh  June,  1823. 
u  My  dearest  Thomas — 

*  #  #  *  a  j  must  now  stop.  I  see  I  have  filled  one-third 
of  my  letter  with  the  cases  of  a  personal  pronoun  ;  I  was  going 
to  say  with  the  declensions  of  one,  but  perhaps  it  is  rather  an  im- 
proper term.         *         *         *         * 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  399 

"  And  now,  my  dear  Thomas,  I  come  to  you, — though  last, 
not  least, — and  yet  I  am  pausing  what  to  say ;  indeed,  I  want 
words  for  matter.  And  so  you  are  now  fully  employed,  that 
is,  as  much  as  your  other  duties  will  permit,  in  making  known 
to  men  the  word  of  reconciliation.  Oh,  had  I  the  wings  of  a 
dove  !  With  what  delight  I  could  now  sit  under  your  shadow 
at  the  foot  of  the  pulpit !  Your  image  is  ever  before  me,  nor 
do  I  need  any  limner  to  remind  me  of  every  feature ;  but  then 
I  never  properly  saw  them  lighted  up  by  the  shining  forth  of 
the  candle  of  the  Lord  within  you  when  standing  in  the  charac- 
ter of  ambassador  of  God ! 

Oh !  my  dear,  dear  Thomas,  I  have  sweet  remembrance  of 
you  in  my  prayers,  being  mindful  also  of  your  tears  !  I  am 
filled  with  joy  ! — yea,  I  am  very  full  of  comfort !  My  Father 
who  is  in  heaven  has  mingled  no  such  sweet  in  my  cup  as  that 
which  you  afford  me  !     'I  live,  if  you  stand  fast  in  the  Lord  !' 

;  Happy,  if  wilh  my  latest  breath 

Thou  may'st  but  gasp  His  name ! 
Preach  Him  to  all,  and  cry  in  death, 

Behold,  behold  the  Lamb !' 

"  Yes,  my  dear  Thomas,  exalt  the  Lamb  !  '  He  is  worthy  !' 
Hang  every  spoil  you  have  gained  from  the  enemy  upon  His 
cross,  and  lay  every  honour  you  may  receive  from  men  at  his 
feet.  I  do  long  to  see  you  ;  nor  will  any  one  thing  in  America 
tend  to  hasten  my  return  more  than  to  be  '  somewhat  filled  with 
your  company.'  I  shall  see  you  now  with  other  eyes;  no 
longer  the  keeper  of  the  sheep-fold,  but  the  anointed  of  the 
Holy  One,  to  bear  His  name  among  the  Gentiles.  Walk  worthy 
of  thy  high  calling,  and  great  shall  be  thy  reward  in  heaven. 

"  Write  to  me  again  and  again  and  again.  Remember  me 
to  my  foster  mother.  Put  her  in  mind  of  the  eleventh  day  of 
this  month  last  year.     I  thought  of  her  on  that  day,  for  I  read 


400  LETTERS   OF   THE 

in  her  anxious  face  at  that  time,  '  there  is  but  a  step  between 
thee  and  death.'     God  bless  her  a  thousand  fold ! 

"  Present  my  respects  to  all,  and  believe  me  my  dear  Tho- 
mas, 

"  Thine  till  death, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  the  Rev.  William  M.  Willett.] 

"  Liverpool,  10th  July,  1823. 
"  My  dear  William,  whom  I  love  in  the  truth — 

"  It  is  but  a  few  days  since  I  learned,  by  letters  from 
America,  that  you  have  now  put  on  the  harness  of  the  Chris- 
tian minister.  To  describe  to  you  my  feelings  on  this  account 
would  be  impossible  I  When  I  read  the  intelligence  my  heart 
fluttered  in  such  a  manner  that  I  knew  not  which  was  the 
greater  exciting  cause, — joy,  or  hope,  or  fear.  Even  when  the 
passions  subsided,  I  thought  I  could  find  more  of  anxiety  in  the 
preponderating  scale  than  of  any  other  feeling.  Oh  !  my  dear 
William,  wbat  shall  I  say  ?  I  am  not  painfully  fearful  concern- 
ing you,  but  I  am  inexpressibly  anxious  for  the  result.  I  have 
confidence  in  you  in  all  things ;  but  then  you  have  entered  upon 
an  unbeaten  path, — a  path  which  yon  never  trod  before.  You 
have  commenced  a  warfare, — not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but 
against  principalities  and  powers,  against  the  rulers  of  darkness 
of  this  world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places.  You 
have  now  left  the  ranks  and  become  a  leader  under  the  Captain 
of  our  salvation  ;  and  honourable  as  is  the  step  you  have  taken, 
yet  it  cannot  be  disguised  from  you,  that  by  this  step  you  have 
set  yourself  as  a  mark  to  the  powers  of  hell,  who  will  direct 
against  you  instruments  of  warfare  and  modes  of  temptation, 
which,  as  a  private  member  of  the  church,  you  might  have  for 
ever  remained  a  stranger  to.  The  god  of  this  world  is  well 
aware  that  if  he  can  produce  the  fall  or  defection  of  the  stan- 
dard-bearer, the  people  will  flee,  every  man  to  his  own  house, 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  401 

and,  panic-struck,  never  again  rally  under  the  banner  of  the 
cross.  He  knows  that  when  great  limbs  are  severed  from  the 
tree,  many  twigs  will  fall  with  them  ;  or,  in  plain  language,  the 
falling  away  of  him  who  has  preached  to  others,  is  more  calcu- 
lated to  destroy  the  flock  of  Christ  than  all  the  open  warfare 
which  the  devil  or  his  agents  could  maintain  against  them. 

"  But  I  check  myself.  Write  I  these  things  to  hinder  you  ? 
Nay,  but  as  my  beloved  son  I  warn  you ;  and  if  I  have  suc- 
ceeded in  casting  you  down  for  a  moment,  it  is  that  you  may 
know  where  your  place  of  safety  lies.  The  cross,  my  dear 
William, — the  foot  of  the  cross, — must  be  your  resting-place  ; 
the  crucified  must  be  the  object  ever  before  your  mind  ;  '  with- 
out thee  I  can  do  nothing  f  must  ever  be  on  your  tongue,  and 
that  from  unfeigned  lips  ;  and  every  honour  which  the  Head  of 
the  Church  may  put  upon  you,  must  be  hung  as  a  trophy  on 
his  cross,  while  '  not  unto  me,  not  unto  me,  but  unto  thy  name 
be  all  the  glory,'  must  be  the  language  of  your  heart.  If  you 
walk  by  this  rule,  and  mind  this  same  thing,  the  gates  of  hell 
will  not  be  able  to  prevail  against  you ;  you  will  stand  forth  in 
all  the  might  of  an  ambassador  of  God  !  Your  word  will  be 
with  power ;  shaking  and  trembling  will  seize  the  sinner,  while 
the  believer  will  recognize  in  you  an  apostle,  not  of  men,  neither 
by  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God  the  Father,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  he  raised  from  the  dead.  -May  the  Lord  give  you  un- 
derstanding in  all  things. 

"  I  trust  that  the  hardships  of  the  circuit  to  which  you  have 
been  appointed  will  be  no  stumbling-block  to  you.  It  is  nothing 
compared  with  what  I  endured  the  first  two  years  of  my  minis- 
try in  the  various  parts  of  Ireland,  by  night  and  by  day ;  and 
if  ever  I  grew  weary  and  faint  in  my  mind,  I  applied  to  the 
Strong  for  strength,  and  thus  always  found  that  his  grace  was 
sufficient  for  me,  and  that  he  caused  strength  to  be  imparted  to 
me  proportioned  to  my  need.  My  dear  William,  keep  eternity 
full  in  view,  and  the  recompense  of  reward,  and  you  will  find  it 
2  m2 


402  LETTERS   OF   THE 

the  best  antidote  either  against  all  the  treasures  of  Egypt,  or  all 
the  afflictions  you  may  be  called  upon  to  suffer.  Remember 
you  are  in  a  warfare,  and  seek  not  for  ease  ;  and  may  God  give 
you  grace  to  acquit  yourself  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ. 

"  My  paper  fills  up,  and  my  heart  is  not  at  all  discharged  of 
its  burlhen.  I  have  much,  very  much  to  say ;  but  I  will  not — I 
cannot  do  it  with  paper  and  ink.  Soon  I  hope  to  see  you  face 
to  face.  Meantime,  get  '  Clark's  Letter  to  a  Young  Preacher ;' 
make  it  your  own  by  digesting  its  invaluable  contents :  it  is  in 
our  book  room,  and  is  worth  its  weight  in  gold  ! 

"  Farewell !  May  God  bless  you,  and  ever  have  you  in  his 
holy  keeping. 

"  Affectionately  your  fellow-servant, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Sargent. J 

"  Liverpool,  10th  July,  1S23. 

"  My  precious  Thomas — 

"  Although  I  used  you  as  the  vehicle  of  communication  to 

two  families  (your  own  and  that  of  Mr  C. ),  in  the  last  let- 

ter  I  addressed  to  you,  yet  I  again  take  that  liberty,  from  the 
conviction  that  it  is  not  disagreeable  to  you,  and  cannot  be 
judged  ill  by  them,  on  account  of  your  nearness  of  relation  to- 
wards the  one,  and  tenderness  of  attachment  to  the  other :  and 
moreover,  I  know  you  so  well,  that  if  any  jealousy  should  be 
excited,  one  look  and  one  smile  and  one  word  from  you  would 
put  all  to  rights  again.  I  confess  to  you  it  is  a  relief  to  me  to 
adopt  this  plan  ;  for  I  feel  it  to  be  a  severe  tax  to  write  so  con- 
stantly as  I  am  obliged  to  do,  not  only  to  America,  but  Ireland, 
France  and  England  ;  1  say  a  tax,  but  I  mean  to  apply  it  only 
to  my  physical  powers,  and  the  bearing  it  has  on  my  health ; 
with  this  aside,  it  is  a  real  mental  gratification.     * 

"  I  should  have  been  glad  to  have  heard  from  you  after  the 


REV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  403 

Philadelphia  Conference,  anxious  to  know  what  preachers  you 
have  amon(r  you.  From  New  York  I  have  received  intelligence 
respecting  that  city  ;  among  the  rest,  that  William  Willett  has 
been  appointed  to  the  east  end  of  Lond  Island.  I  cannot  but 
regret  this,  as  I  fear  the  breaking  in  will  be  too  severe  ;  I  have 
written  to  him  by  this  packet  to  cheer  him  up  ;  I  trust  that  God 
will  support  him,  strengthen  his  hands,  and  confirm  his  knees, 
and  hold  him  on  the  even  tenour  of  his  way.  I  am  fond  of  pleas- 
ing myself  with  the  conjecture  that  perhaps  Thomas  is  also  thus 
employed,  and  that  the  reason  of  his  silence  is  the  bustle  of  pre- 
paring for  his  outgo  ;  such  as  getting  saddle-bags,  horse,  whip, 
&c,  and  packing  up  his  linen,  with  Wesley's  hymns  and  pocket 
Bible.  Well,  should  it  not  be,  the  time  may  come,  and  if  you 
prevent  not,  mill  come  ;  I  believe  that  God  has  certainly  called 
you  to  be  a  minister  in  the  gospel  of  His  dear  son ;  be  not  thou 
disobedient  to  the  heavenly  call,  and  be  thou  faithful  therein, 
neither  receive  this  grace  of  God  in  vain.  The  fathers  are  passing 
away,  and  breaches  are  daily  making  in  the  ranks  of  the 
standard  bearers  ;  oh  !  that  God  would  raise  up  a  host  of  pious 
youths  ardently  waiting  to  catch  the  standards  ere  they  fall  from 
the  veterans  of  the  cross  ;  that  instead  of  the  fathers  may  be  the 
children,  and  yet  the  children's  children. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  my  friends.  I  see  I  have 
forgot  to  say  a  word  about  myself.  Well,  I  will  close  with  it. 
My  health  is  much  as  when  I  last  wrote,  and  my  soul  is  athirst 
for  all  the  salvation  of  God  !  Last  Sabbath  I  assisted  in  ad- 
ministering the  Lord's  Supper  to  about  six  hundred  people  ;  the 
Lord  supped  with  us,  and  made  our  feast  a  little  heaven.  Fare- 
well, my  dear  Thomas  !  Still  remember  me  as  I  also  do  you. 
"  Ever  affectionately  yours, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


404  LETTERS   OF    THE 


[To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  Liverpool,  1 5th  Aug.,  1823. 
"  My  dear  friend — 

"  Having  promised  you  the  earliest  intelligence  from  the 
English  Conference,  which  was  concluded  but  two  days  ago, 
and  from  which  I  have  just  returned,  I  lose  no  time  in  forward- 
ing it  to  you  by  the  packet  which  sails  to-morrow.  The  ap- 
pointment has  devolved  upon  Mr.  Reece,  and  a  second  has  also 
been  appointed  to  accompany  him,  Mr.  John  Hannah,  a  junior 
preacher  of  six  or  seven  years  standing,  but  a  young  man  of  re- 
spectable talents  ;  they  take  their  departure  in  March  next.  * 
#     #     #     # 

"  I  look  forward  with  great  solicitude  to  our  approaching 
General  Conference  ;  I  hope  much,  but  I  fear  more :  I  am 
anxious  that  the  report  borne  back  by  our  English  brethren  may 
establish  that  high  character  of  us  with  which  Mr.  Emory's 
talent  and  worth  and  piety  possessed  them,  and  that  their  affec- 
tion to  America  with  which  he  re-inspired  them,  may  be- 
come confirmed  and  durable  ; — but  then  this  long  agitated  ques- 
tion— 0  that  it  were  buried  in  the  bottom  of  the  sea  ! — and  it 
may,  if  there  should  be  a  sea — an  ocean  of  love  among  us  at  the 
time  :  let  us  begin  to  pray  for  an  outpouring  of  the  spirit  of 
meekness,  of  brotherly  kindness,  and  at  the  same  time  of  heaven- 
ly wisdom  ;  that  while  we  possess  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent, 
we  may  connect  with  it  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove  ! — Remem- 
bering that  Jesus  is  yet  the  Head  of  the  Church,  let  us  spread 
the  case  before  Him  ;  He  has  long  held  us  in  his  right  hand,  yea, 
in  the  hollow  of  His  hand  ;  soon  shall  we  see  that 

'  His  purposes  will  ripen  fast, 
Unfolding  every  hour, 
The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  taste, 
But  sweet  will  be  the  flower.' 


REV.    JOHN    SUtoMERFIELD.  405 

"  A  very  serious  and  awful  occurrence  took  place  at  the  open- 
ing of  Conference,  and  had  a  solemnizing  effect  during  the  whole 
of  its  session  :  a  coach  in  which  were  seven  preachers  on  their 
journey  to  this  annual  assembly  was  overturned  ;  only  one  es- 
caped unhurt ;  one  died  in  a  few  hours,  his  name  was  Sargent ; 
a  second  died  on  the  second  day,  and  others  are  lying  danger- 
ously ill,  mangled  and  bruised  to  a  frightful  degree.  Oh  !  how 
mysterious  !  Surely  '  He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea  ;' — we 
cannot  track  his  design  herein  ;  may  it  preach  to  each  of  us, '  be 
ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  you  think  not  the  Son  of 
Man  cometh.'     Farewell.     *     *     *     # 

"  Ever  affectionately  yours, 

"J  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent.] 

"  TAnerponl,  24th  Oct.,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Thomas — 

"  It  is  now  a  month  since  I  wrote  to  you, — but  'tis  an  age 
since  I  heard  from  you  ;  I  suppose  you  are  reserving  all  your 
o-ood  sayings  until  I  can  receive  them  fresh  from  your  own  lips ; 
and  yet  I  still  think  that  you  have  such  an  abundance  of  them 
that  the  stock  would  bear  a  considerable  reduction  without  any 
sensible  diminution  ;  surely  you  might  inclose  me — if  it  were 
but  half  a  dozen — feelings  of  your  heart,  made  tangible  in  the 
form  of  words  ;  and  I  promise  you,  if  you  knew  how  I  prize 
them  you  would  do  so. 

"  My  own  letters  to  America  are  now  drawing  to  a  close  ;  early 
in  the  year  1  hope,  by  the  good  hand  of  my  God  upon  me,  to 
embark  for  my  much  loved  home  !  My  health  is  so  much  im- 
proved that  I  preach  about  once  a  week,  and  find  moderate 
exercise  in  this  way  beneficial.  I  am  aware  that  in  the  bare 
mention  of  this  I  am  rousing  all  your  anxieties,  but  then,  though 
I  can  keep  nothing  from  you,  I  assure  you,  at  the  same  time, 
that  I  am  much  more  prudent  than  I  have  ever  been,  and  your 


406  LETTERS    OF    THE 

fears  are  groundless.  I  confine  myself  to  preaching  on  Sunday 
morning,  never  choosing  an  evening  appointment ;  indeed,  I 
generally  house  myself  after  five  o'clock,  and  enjoy  my  friend 
and  his  fire-side  :  tea-parties  I  have  altogether  laid  aside,  and  my 
friends  know  they  need  use  no  importunity  to  prevail  on  me. 
By  this  means,  and  extreme  care  in  my  clothing,  regularity  in 
my  exercises,  and  great  attention  to  my  diet,  but,  above  all, 
through  His  blessing  concerning  whom  we  sing — 

•'  Except  the  Lord  conduct  the  plan 
The  best  concerted  schemes  are  vain, 
And  never  can  succeed.' 

through  His  blessing  I  am  what  I  am,  and  to  him  shall  be 


devoted  all  that  life  he  bestows,  even  to  its  latest  moment  of 
existence.  O  that  he  would  make  me  fully  conformed  to 
the  image  of  His  Son  ! 

"  T  trust  my  dear  Thomas  is  growing  in  grace,- — striking  his 
roots  deeper  into  that  rich  soil  of  humble  love  in  which  all  the 
graces  of  the  Spirit  thrive  ; — and  while  he  is  feeling  after  these 
depths,  I  trust  he  is  also  overtopping  the  tallest  cedars  of  Leba- 
non, and  clustering  on  every  bough  with  all  the  fruits  of  righte- 
ousness, which  are  by  Christ  Jesus,  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of 
God  the  Father. 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  your  dear  parents  ;  I  write 
to  them  through  you  ;  may  my  dear  Thomas  ever  be  worthy  of 
them!     *     *     *     * 

"  Ever  yours,  &c, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mrs.  Blackstock.] 

"  Runcorn,  Bee.  20th,  1823. 
"  My  dear  Ellen — 

"  If  I  were  to  have  sat  down  immediately  on  the  receipt  of 
your  last,  dated  7th  Nov.,  and  replied  to  you  under  the  influence 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  407 

of  my  first  feelings  on  reading  it,  I  scarcely  can  conjecture  what 
I  might  have  said.  O  why  this  strain  ?  One  tissue  of  scolding 
runs  through  the  whole  of  it,  mixed  up  with  a  jealousy,  which 
you  say  is  '  the  offspring  of  love.''  O,  my  dear  Ellen,  love  is  not 
the  mother  of  jealousy :  love  is  too  tender  to  produce  anything 
so  harsh  in  all  its  features  ;  will  you  bear  with  me  if  I  moralize  a 
little  ?  I  know  you  sometimes  natter  me  with  thinking  that  I 
am  capable  of  instructing  you  in  some  things  ;  if  I  am,  it  is  only 
because  I  have  been  more  conversant  with  men  and  things.  True 
friendship,  which  is  indeed  the  purest  form  of  love,  is  unsus- 
picious ;  it  hopeth  all  things  ;  it  never  faileth.  Young  has 
beautifully  said  concerning  it,  that '  distrust  destroys  it :'  it  has  no 
surmises;  it  thinketh  no  evil.  Now  if  I  could  only  prevail  on 
myself  to  copy  some  paragraphs  in  your  letter,  for  the  sake  of 
bringing  them  to  this  standard,  there  would  appear  a  strange  dis- 
crepancy ;  but  then  I  will  not ;  I  know  you  have  only  given 
loose  to  your  feelings,  through  the  adoption  of  that  false  maxim 
that  jealousy  is  the  offspring  of  affection  ; — "'tis  no  such  thing  :  or 
if  it  be,  it  is  like  Milton's  description  of  the  monster  that  kept  the 
gate  of  hell,  whose  detested  brood  fed  upon  the  vitals  of  their 
mother. 

"  However,  my  arrival  in  America,  to  which  I  now  look  for- 
ward in  a  few  weeks  after  you  receive  this  letter,  will  dissipate 
all  your  fears,  and  you  will  find  that  I  shall  return  as  I  left  you,  in 
a  state  of  single  blessedness  ;  O  yes, 

'My  thoughts  on  other  matters  go; 
I've  had  no  wedding  day,  I  know.' 

"  I  am  glad  you  keep  up  so  friendly  a  correspondence  with 
Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  ;  I  have  written  to  both  places  by 
this  packet."  *  *  * 

"  And  now,  my  dear  Ellen,  in  expectation  of  soon  seeing  you, 


408  LETTERS   OF   THE 

and  renewing  all  those  kind  acknowledgments  which  your  atten- 
tions have  laid  me  under,  believe  me, 

"  Sincerely  and  affectionately, 

"  Your  loving  brother, 

"  JOHN." 

"  P.S.  I  had  forgotten  to  say  one  word  about  myself!  My 
thoughts  are  in  America  !  Thank  God  I  continue  as  well  as 
usual !  O  bless  the  Lord  with  me,  and  let  us  exalt  His  holy 
name  together. 

[To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  Runcorn,  near  Liverpool,  Dec.  22d,  1823. 

"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  I  was  just  preparing  to  write  my  final  letters  to  America, 
and  thinking  of  the  congratulatory  season  of  the  year,  and 
reflecting  upon  all  its  mercies,  when  I  received  such  a  letter 
from  a  friend  in  Birmingham,  as  perfectly  astonished  me  ;  my 
intention  of  writing  to  my  dear  Thomas,  and  others,  was  aban- 
doned ;  they  must  excuse  me ;  I  have  not  recovered  from  its 
paralyzing  effects. — The  following  is  an  extract. 

"  '  We  have  lost  two  of  our  preachers,  Messrs.  Banks  and 
Hulme,  of  Dudley,  also  your  very  kind  and  worthy  friend,  H. 
Foxall,  Esq.  Miss  Percival  called  at  my  house  and  gave  me 
the  information  ;  poor  Mrs.  F.  is  almost  inconsolable  ;  he  died 
rather  suddenly.' 

"  I  know  not  what  to  say  ;  my  mouth  is  shut !  I  stand  dumb 
before  the  Lord  !  A  few  weeks  ago  I  left  our  friend  in  excel- 
lent health  and  spirits,  and  fully  expected  that  he  would  accom- 
pany me  to  America  ;  last  week  1  wrote  to  inform  him  of  my 
arrangements  ;  but  tbe  hand  of  death  has  smitten  him  ! 

"  I  stand  on  the  brink  of  the  grave  tremblingly  alive,  not 
knowing  when  I  may  become  inclosed  myself,  or  what  other  of 
my  friends  I  may  yet  live  to  see  drop  in.     O  that  we  may  stand 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERF1ELD.  409 

ready,  with  our  loins  girded  !    The  Judge  is  at  the  door  !    '  Lo, 
I  come  quickly.'    I  can  say  nothing  more.    Every  other  subject 
must  give  place.     Farewell  ! — still  remember  in  your  prayers, 
"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Sargent.] 

"  New  York,  April  26,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Thomas — 

"  I  suppose  you  have  long  thought  it  was  high  time  for  me 
to  write  to  you,  and  indeed  so  it  is  ;  but  if  you  knew  how  much 
I  have  been  occupied  since  my  return,  you  would  at  least  palli- 
ate the  offence,  if  not  altogether  exculpate.  You  have  been 
much  on  my  mind,  in  my  heart,  and  on  my  tongue  ;  my  heart's 
desire  and  prayer  to  God  for  you  is  that  he  would  open  your 
way,  exalt  the  valleys,  bring  down  the  mountains,  make  the 
crooked  places  straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain,  and  thus 
clearly  mark  out  for  you  the  path  in  which  He  would  have  you 
to  go.  Remember  that  difficulty  is  a  word  which  has  no  mean- 
ing when  applied  to  Him  :  it  is  not  in  heaven's  vocabulary  ; 
power  belongs  to  God!  Look  out  of  yourself,  and  altogether  upon 
Him  :  let  your  heart  ever  say,  '  Lord,  here  I  am  !  what  wouldst 
thou  have  me  to  do  V  Ever  feel,  that  though  in  yourself  all 
weakness,  you  '  can  do  all  filings  through  Christ  which 
strengthened  you.' 

1  I  do,  believe  my  dear  Thomas,  that  the  Lord  will  yet  hold 
you  like  a  star  in  his  right  hand,  by  which  he  will  illuminate  the 
churches  !  Oh  !  that  I  may  live  to  see  it ;  then,  indeed,  will 
my  very  heart  rejoice.  My  dear  Thomas,  seek  to  lose  yourself 
altogether  in  the  will  of  God  !  Have  no  choice  of  your  own  ; 
neither  hope  nor  desire,  but  according  to  the  will  of  God.  If  He 
will — do  you  will ; — if  He  nill — do  you  nill ; — mark  his  finger  in 
everything  relating  to  you  ;  remember  your  hairs  are  all  num- 
bered ;  and  if  he  regard  these,  no  circumstance  which  can  hap- 
2n 


410  LETTERS   OF   THE 

pen  to  you  is  too  trivial  for  Him  to  overrule  to  your  eternal  wel- 
fare. Take  up  every  cross — never  turn  aside  to  avoid  one  :  you 
will  always  find  two  in  the  place  of  it — go  into  every  open  door, 
and  cry  unto  Him  continually  to  be  endued  with  power  from  on 
high  !  Let  your  religion,  like  the  apostles,  be  summed  up  in 
this  comprehensive  expression,  '  God,  whose  I  am,  and  whom  I 
serve :' — make  an  entire  surrender  of  a  whole  heart  to  a  perfect 
Saviour  ;  thus  will  you  realize  the  first  part  of  this  sentence, 
'  whose  I  am'' — the  second  part  will  follow  as  a  consequence  ;- — 
feel  yourself  the  servant,  dovXog,  the  slave  of  Jesus  Christ ;  this 
was  the  highest  character  ever  aspired  after  by  the  great  apostle 
of  the  Gentiles  ;  at  the  feet  of  his  Lord  he  had  laid  his  character, 
reputation,  talent,  nay,  his  life  itself;  in  this  respect  our  Wesley 
also  imitated  him  ; 

'  Take  my  soul  and  body's  powers ! 
Take  my  memory,  mind,  and  will ! 
All  my  goods,  and  all  my  hours  ! 
All  I  know,  and  all  I  feel ! 
Ml  1  think,  and  speak,  and  do/ 
Take  my  heart ! and  make  it  new !' 

Thus  indeed  will  you  become  a  new  creature  :  old  things  will  be 
passed  away,  behold  all  things  will  become  new —     *     *     *     * 
"  Ever  your  very  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Mr.  Samuel  Harden.] 

"  New  Yorh^  April  30th,  1824. 
"  My  dear  Friend  and  Brother — 

"  I  fear  that  your  high  expectations  respecting  my  health 
will  be  humbled  by  our  interview ;  but  I  am  alive,  and  why 
should  a  living  man  complain  ?  My  only  anxiety  on  the  sub- 
ject is  connected  with  the  church  of  God.  I  wish  to  be  fully 
efficient,  that 

'  All  my  powers,  with  all  their  might, 
In  her  sole  glory  may  unite.' 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  411 

However,  I  am  in  his  hands  who  can  hold  me  up,  and  make  my 
bow  abide  in  strength,  my  heart  ever  cries  out 

'  O  for  a  trumpet  voice 
On  all  the  world  to  call !'" 


[To  the  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Sargent.] 

"  Baltimore,  17th  May,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Thomas — 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  have  thought  of  me,  but  I  have 
thought  hardly  of  myself  for  suffering  your  favour  of  the  12th 
inst.  to  be  so  long  unanswered  ;  and  yet  truly,  my  dear  Thomas, 
if  you  could  only  see  through  a  telescope  with  power  sufficient 
to  reach  this  place,  you  would  see  me  all  fuss  and  bustle  from 
morning  to  night.  I  am  heartily  tired  of  it,  and  yet  submission 
is  my  resource ;  for  fifteen  days  I  have  engagements  for  every 
meal,  including  all  last  week  and  all  the  present ;  beyond  Satur- 
day next  I  have  refused  to  make  any  others  ;  I  am  run  off  my 
feet.  At  seven  I  breakfast,  go  to  Conference  at  eight,  rise  at 
one,  then  proceed  to  the  place  where  I  have  engaged  to  dine, — 
then  to  preaching  at  four  o'clock — tea  at  some  other  end  of  the 
town — preaching  again  at  eight,  and  then  as  soon  as  I  can,  I 
retire  to  bed,  well  fatigued  with  the  occurrences  of  the  day  ;  this 
is  an  ordinary  day ;  but  there  are  extraordinaries  ;  to-day  I  am 
acting  as  amanuensis  to  Bishop  McKendree  ;  at  four  o'clock  I 
have  to  go  into  the  country  to  baptize  a  grandchild  of  Colonel 
Howard's,  and  at  seven  we  hold  the  anniversary  of  the  '  Juve- 
nile Finleyan  Missionary  Society.'  However,  I  am  determined 
to  write  by  this  mail,  lest  you  should  think  me  at  all  unkind  or 
inattentive.  Indeed  I  confess  I  am  not  pleased  that  you  do  not 
come  on  ;  many  ask  after  you,  and  I  do  really  wish  you  were 
here."  *  *  *  * 

"  Many  of  the  Committees  have  reported  ;  that,  on  the  Epis- 
copacy, recommends  the  ordination  of  at  least  two  Bishops  ; — I 


412  LETTERS    OF    THE 

guess  they  will  lay  hands  on  Brother  S —  and  Brother  B — ,  of 
the  West.  As  yet,  things  go  on  pretty  well ;  there  have  been 
trials  of  strength  on  several  motions,  and  the  votes  have  some- 
times been  carried  by  Brother 's  side  of  the  house  ;  he  is  all 

alive  ;  but  tormentingly  loquacious  ;  he  was  called  to  the  chair 

on 's  trial,  and  I  think  he  made  more  speeches  even  from 

the  chair  than  any  member  in  the  house. 

"  My  ordination  took  place  at  my  own  request  on  Wednes- 
day afternoon  last ;  it  was  kept  as  secret  as  the  case  could  be, 
and  was  done  at  the  close  of  a  sermon  preached  before  the  Con- 
ference by  the  Rev.  Richard  Reece  that  afternoon  ;  Bishop  K — 
stayed  only  a  few  minutes  after  the  service  of  preaching  con- 
cluded ;  the  ordination  scared  him  off.  The  elders  assisting 
Bishop  McKendree  were .  Brothers  Soule,  Wells,  Garrettson, 
and  Cooper ;  it  was  the  most  solemn  season  I  ever  witnessed  ; 
my  vows  were  again  publicly  plighted,  and  I  resolved  more 
than  ever  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  Him  who  has  counted  me 
faithful,  putting  me  into  the  ministry.  May  God  help  me  so  to 
do.  Give  my  love  to  your  father  and  mother  and  all  friends,  in 
Eighth  street. 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  Thomas, 

"  Ever  affectionately,  yours, 

"  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Anthony  Badley,  Esq.*] 

"  My  dear  Friend — 

"  I  now  address  you,  agreeably  to  my  promise,  by  the 
English  delegates  who  are  expected  to  depart  hence  in  a  few 
days.  The  last  despatch,  which  would  inform  you  of  my  safe 
arrival,  has,  I  trust,  been  received.  In  that  I  stated  that  I  was 
on  the  eve  of  setting  out  to  the  General  Conference  at  Balti- 

*  A  gentleman  at  whose  house  in  the  vicinity  of  Liverpool  Mr.  Sum- 
merfiold  had  resided  for  several  weeks,  during  his  stay  in  England, 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  413 

more.  I  returned  from  thence  two  days  ago,  and  am  now  about 
preparing  for  the  duties  of  the  coming  year. 

"  It  will  please  you  to  learn  that  my  health  is  so  much  im- 
proved that  I  shall  not  be  a  supernumerary.  The  work  which 
has  been  assigned  me  is  very  extensive,  and  yet  it  has  been  ar- 
ranged with  a  most  paternal  regard  to  my  feeble  constitution. 

"  In  order  to  secure  to  me  the  advantage  of  travelling,  I  have 
not  been  appointed  to  a  station  (as  we  call  it)  such  as  Liverpool 
or  Warrington  would  be  called,  independent  of  the  circuit  at- 
tached to  thenij  nor  have  I  been  appointed  to  a  circuit  in  which  a 
regular  duty  would  be  expected, — but  have  received  permission 
to  travel  through  the  bounds  of  the  Baltimore  conference  (an 
extent  equal  to  your  little  island),  on  a  missionary  tour,  to  form 
auxiliary  societies,  hold  anniversaries,  preach  missionary  ser- 
mons, and  by  every  means  excite  among  our  people  a  missiona- 
ry spirit,  in  answer  to  the  loud  calls  for  help  which  are  made  to 
us  from  the  Indian  tribes  on  our  western  frontiers.  My  commis- 
sion extends  still  farther,  for  the  bishops  have  given  me  the 
privilege  of  travelling  on  the  same  account  northward,  as  far  as 
Canada,  and  southward  as  far  as  Florida,  according  to  the  sum- 
mer and  winter  seasons  of  the  year  ;  that  by  every  means  they 
may  conduce  to  the  perfect  re-establishment  of  my  health  ;  for 
such  is  the  felicity  of  situation  in  this  highly  favoured  land,  that 
it  includes  within  itself  every  zone  and  every  climate.  I  feel 
truly  grateful  for  my  privileges,  and  trust  that  I  may  be  crowned 
with  abundant  success. 

"  The  work  of  God  in  this  country  is  extending  and  widening 
on  every  side.  We  have  had  to  increase  the  number  of  our  an- 
nual conference  from  twelve  to  seventeen,  and  to  ordain  two  new 
bishops  at  the  general  conference,  so  that  we  have  now  five 
superintendents.  I  know  not  where  it  will  stop — but  God  for- 
bid that  it  should  ever  cease  until  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 
the  Lord  shall  cover  the  whole  earth  ! 

"  I  trust  that  the  report  which  Mr.  Recce  will  be  prepared  to 
make  to  the  British   conference  will  fully  realize  my  warmest 


414  LETTERS    OF    THE 

anticipations.  I  believe  that  both  he  and  Mr.  Hannah  have 
been  more  than  satisfied.  '  The  half  had  not  been  told  them.' 
As  it  regards  themselves,  they  have  given  universal  satisfaction. 

"  At  their  parting  with  us  at  the  General  Conference  at  Bal- 
timore, I  never  saw  a  more  affecting  scene  ;  the  Conference 
stood  up,  while  the  bishops,  on  behalf  of  the  whole  church,  gave 
them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  bade  them  a  long  fare- 
well. Mr.  Hannah  joined  in  solemn  prayer  before  they  with- 
drew, and  was  responded  to  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  utter- 
ed. Our  senior  bishop,  now  grey  with  age  and  broken  down 
with  care,  followed  him,  and  reciprocated  in  fervent  petition  all 
the  super-abundance  of  spiritual  blessings  on  the  English  con- 
nexion which  the  former  had  supplicated  for  the  American 
church ;  it  was  a  struggle  for  the  mastery ;  but  love  was  the 
contest,  and  each  was  in  turn  the  conqueror  and  the  conquered. 

"We  again  stood  upon  our  feet,  while  our  venerable  apostle 
pronounced  the  benediction  ;  but  I  cannot  describe  the  scene — 
every  eye  was  suffused  with  tears— business  was  suspended — 
silence  reigned,  except  when  it  was  disturbed  by  the  breaking 
forth  of  feelings  which  could  not  be  suppressed.  They  left  us, 
never  to  return  ;  and  the  senior  bishop  accompanied  them  to 
the  ship,  sorrowing  most  of  all  that  we  should  see  their  face  no 
more.  Oh !  I  felt  at  that  moment,  and  we  all  felt,  that  the 
spirit  of  Christ  lives  among  us.  I  felt,  and  we  all  felt,  that 
Methodism  is  one  wherever  it  is  found — that  like  seed  produces 
like  fruit.     Oh  !   I  felt,  and  we  all  felt,  that— 

'  Mountains  may  rise  and  oceans  roll 
To  sever  us  in  vain  !' 

I  saw  that  the  prayer  of  ourGreat  High  Priest  had  prevailed — 
'that  they  may  all  be  one  !'     I  was  abundantly  satisfied. 

"  But  it  is  now  high  time  to  express  my  anxieties  concerning 
my  friend  in  Linacre.  May  I  hope,  to  hear  from  you  ?  Oh,  favour 
me  with  this  additional  token  of  your  love  : — how  are  you  pros- 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  415 

pering  ?  I  mean  in  spiritual  riches — for  in  this  world's  goods 
the  Great  Proprietor  of  all  has  given  you  richly  all  things  to  en- 
joy. But  the  true  riches — the  unsearchable  riches — the  gold 
tried  in  the  fire  :  are  you  abounding  in  these  ?  Abounding  ! 
yes :  for  He  has  said,  '  Ask  what  ye  will,  and  I  will  do  it  for 
you.'  With  Him  it  is  only  ask  and  have ; — but  then  '  ask  in 
faith,  nothing  doubting' — they  are  all  yours — purchased  by  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  promised  to  all  who  come  unto  God 
by  him — offered  by  the  Holy  Spirit  without  money  and  without 
price  !  O,  my  dear  friend,  put  in  your  claim  for  the  fulness, 
the  whole  fulness — honour  God  by  believing,  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  his  uttermost  salvation,  and  you  shall  be  saved  with  all 
the  power  of  an  endless  life . 

"  Yours, with  all    sincerity, 

"JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Doctor  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  New  York,  July  loth,  1824. 
"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  You  may  well  wonder  what  has  become  of  me  ;  the  trial 

on  which   I  was  detained  was  only  terminated  on    Thursday 

last."  *  *  *  * 

"  Well,  I  have  done  with  law — all  hail  the  gospel  !  I  am 
not  ashamed  of  this,  thank  God.  Soon  I  hope  to  see  you,  but  I 
have  been  very  unwell  for  ten  days  past — the  same  complaint 
which  afflicted  me  at  your  house  about  the  time  of  my  recovery 
from  the  hemorrhage. 

"  1  am  now  recovering,  but  am  exhausted  much,  though  I 
preach  every  Lord's  da}r — I  await  some  letters  and  instructions 
from  Baltimore,  and  shall  organize  some  Juvenile  Missionary 
Associations  among  us  here  before  I  leave  the  city. 

"  Where  is  Thomas  ?  How  is  your  city  for  health  ?  Is  it 
safe  for  me  at  this  season,  or  should  I  rather  first  make  the  tour 
of  Boston  and  the  East  ?      Do  favour  me   with  a  line — and  a 


416  LETTERS   OF    THE 

longer  one  than  my  time  will  permit  me  to  send  you.  With  love 
to  all  yours,  and  any  inquiring  friends, 

"  Believe  me,  my  dear  Doctor, 

"  Ever  yours,  in  sincerity, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mr.  Blackstock.] 

"  Montreal,  16th  August,  1824. 
"  My  dear  James — 

"  I  address  you  from  this  place,  an  important  station  in  His 

Majesty's  dominions. 

"  On  Tuesday  night,  at  12  o'clock,  Mr.  S and  I  took  the 

steamboat  on  Lake  Cham  plain,  and  about  10  o'clock  the  next 
morning  we  entered  the  confines  of  royalty.  English  soldiers 
never  looked  more  attractive  than  those  we  saw  on  duty  upon 
the  boundary  ;  Ave  landed  for  about  fifteen  minutes  upon  the 
Isle  of  Noir,  to  view  the  fortifications,  &c,  which  are  carrying 
on  by  the  British  at  an  immense  expense  ;  the  Island  guards  the 
navigation  of  the  Lake,  and  is  considered  the  key  of  Canada. 
We  left  the  steamboat  at  St.  John's,  which  is  the  head  of  the 
navigation  of  the  lake,  and  came  sixteen  miles  by  stage  to  La 
Prairie  ;  here  again  we  embarked,  and  crossed  the  great  river  St. 
Lawrence,  landing  at  Montreal  about  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  same  day. 

"  Intending  to  remain  here  only  until  the  next  day,  we  took 
up  our  quarters  at  the  Exchange  Coffee  House  ;  but  we  had  not 
been  in  town  an  hour  before  we  were  discovered  ;  messengers 
having  gone  to  every  hotel  in  the  place  to  inquire  for  us.  I 
found  they  had  traced  us  by  country  newspapers,  &c,  and  even 
knew  to  a  day  when  we  were  to  be  at  Montreal ;  ten  days 
before  a  paragraph  had  been  inserted  in  the  papers,  that  I  might 
be  expected  in  company  vnth  Dr.  Milnor,  to  attend  the  anniver- 
sary of  the  Montreal  Bible  Society,  which  they  had  postponed 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  417 

from  time  to  time,  to  Thursday  evening,  the  day  after  I  arrived 
here ;  finding  all  this  ado,  I  could  not  well  leave  the  town  till 
after  this  meeting,  and  therefore  arranged  accordingly."  *  * 
*  "  Indeed,  after  preaching  here  yesterday  forenoon,  I 
found  it  impossible  to  get  away  without  pleading  for  the  British 
and  Canada  Schools  in  this  Province  ;  this  is  appointed  for 
Wednesday  evening  ;  on  Thursday,  I  set  off  to  Burlington,  &c, 
&c."  *      "I  hope  to  find  you  all  as  much  bene- 

fited by  staying  at  home,  as  I  trust  I  am  by  roving  abroad ; 
meantime,  remember  me  affectionately  to  my  father  and  each  of 
the  family,  and  believe  me, 

"  Ever  yours  in  love, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  JVeie  York,  Sept.  6th,  1824. 
"My  dear  Doctor — 

"  I  daresay  you  have  often  wondered  what  has  become  of 

me — and  indeed,  not  without  reason,  but  my  long  silence  was 

owing  to   my  being  on  a  Northern  tour  for  five  weeks,  from 

which  I  only  returned  on  Tuesday  last.       I  cannot  say  that  I 

have  preached  the  gospel  in  places  where   the  name  of  Christ 

has    not  been  heard,   though  I  have  travelled  into  the  Lower 

Province  of  Canada;  but  I  have  laboured  abundantly  to  make 

His  power  known,  and  I  rejoice  to  testify  that  '  the  Lord  stood 

with  me.'      My  health   has  improved   considerably  amidst  the 

fevers  of  repeated  excitements,  and  I  feel   more   strengthened 

than  at  any  time  since  my  afflictive  mercies  in  your  city. 

"  I  am  now  bending  my  course  to  your  little  Bethany.       My 

intention  is  to   leave  here    on    Thursday  week  ;   how  I   may  be 

delayed  on  the  road  I  cannot  tell  ;  but  you  may  expect  me  by 

Saturday  night,  please  God.      I  know  nothing  of  the  movements 

of  Thomas,  but  I  should  rejoice  to  meet  him  in  the  city  when  I 


418  LETTERS   OF   THE 

arrive  ;  if  he  should  be  on  his  mission,  perhaps  you  would  write 
to  him  to  invite  his  return,  if  consistent  with  his  engagements  ; 
I  long  to  see  him  that  I  maybe  comforted  together  with  him  by 
the  common  consolation.  I  have  passed  through  various  trials 
since  I  last  saw  you,  and  my  heart  has  often  sickened."         * 

"  Remember  me  affectionately  to  all,  and,  believe  me,  my 
dear  Doctor,  ever 

"  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  Lancaster,  7  th  Oct.,  1824. 
"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  We  promised  to  write  to  you  once  a  week  during  our 
absence,  and  as  it  is  a  week  this  day  since  we  left  Philadelphia, 
we  come  within  the  engagement.  We  have  arrived  here  within 
a  few  hours,  safe  and  sound — and  as  to  health, '  moving.''  Thomas 
would  have  written,  but  as  he  preaches  this  evening,  and  is  as 
usual  a  good  deal  in  the  '  dithers''  till  it  is  over,  I  have  under- 
taken the  matter.  We  are  travelling;  in  a  gig.  The  weather 
has  been  very  unfavourable,  and  although  there  has  been  con- 
siderable rain,  yet  we  have  been  favoured  as  the  Jews  were  in 
the  rebuilding  of  their  temple — the  rain  fell  all  in  the  night — so 
that  our  work,  like  theirs,  has  not  been  impeded  thereby. 

"  I  can  give  you  no  particulars  as  yet  of  what  we  have  done  ; 
in  Strasburg  we  suffered  much  in  our  collection  for  the  want  of 
due  notice  having  been  given,  which  the  cross  post  prevented 
us  from  doing  ;  we  have  been  among  Germans,  and  you  know 
what  a  difficult  task  it  is  to  coax  money  from  them  ;  it  comes  like 
drops  of  blood  from  their  fingers'  ends. 

"  I  hope,  however,  that  we  shall  not  disappoint  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  Committee,  although  I  do  think  neither  of  us  would 


REV.    JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  419 

covet  such  a  begging  Mission  again.       With  love   to  all  your 
family,  in  which  Thomas  unites,  I  remain, 
"  My  dear  Doctor, 

"  Yours,  as  ever, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Mr.  Francis  Hall.] 

"  Baltimore,  Jan.  1st,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Friend — 

"  Last  Sunday  closed  my  pulpit  labours 
for  a  short  season,  until  I  am  recruited ;  I  knew  not  how  to  stop 
earlier,  for  such  a  begging  time  as  I  have  had,  week  after  week> 
exceeded  anything  heretofore  ;  our  success  was  also  encourag- 
ing ;  on  one  occasion  when  I  preached,  we  collected  three  hun- 
dred dollars,  which  was  considered  a  large  collection. 

"  I  am  glad  your  Missionary  Board  have  determined  to  orga- 
nize a  Juvenile  Society.  To  give  you  another  instance,  if  in- 
deed it  were  needed,  of  the  great  advantage  we  should  derive 
from  engaging  our  children,  I  may  mention  an  occurrence  which 
transpired  since  I  last  wrote  to  you.  I  before  informed  you  of 
the  letter  I  had  received  from  Brother  James  B.  Finley,  begging 
for  fifty  dollars,  for  sundry  purposes,  not  exactly  connected  with 
the  funds  of  the  Mission,  and  yet  important  for  its  prosperity ; 
in  full  confidence  of  receiving  it  from  our  children,  I  wrote  to 
him  to  draw  on  Baltimore  for  the  amount ;  the  week  after,  I 
preached  to  some  thousands  of  them,  and  read  his  feeling  letter, 
and  commented  on  every  paragraph,  and  then  told  the  children 
that  I  would  preach  to  them  again  on  that  day  week,  if  they 
would  pay  me  fifty  dollars  for  my  sermon,  which  I  would  remit 
to  Mr.  Finley ;  universal  approbation  followed,  and  on  that 
occasion  I  collected  about  one  hundred  dollars,  so  that  I  had  to 
write  Mr.  Finley  to  double  his  draft 

"  This  collection  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  Finleyan  3Iite 
Society,  which  is  auxiliary  to  the  New  York  Parent  Society. 


420  LETTERS   OF    THE 

"  I  merely  state  this  to  show  what  a  resource  we  have  in  our 
children,  and  what  a  powerful  auxiliary  of  good  to  the  Church 
they  may  become."  *         *         * 

[To  Mr. of  Princeton  College. 

"  Baltimore,  December  8th,  1824. 

"  My  very  dear  friend  and  brother  *  *  *  must  not  suppose 
for  one  moment,  that  because  he  has  not  received  a  line  from 
me  since  our  interview  in  the  summer,  he  had  no  longer  any 
place  in  my  remembrance.  0  no  !  '  God  is  my  witness,  whom 
I  serve  with  my  spirit  in  the  Gospel  of  His  Son,  that  without  ceas- 
ing I  make  mention  of  you  always  in  my  prayers  !' 

"  Your  first  letter  was  received,  though  out  of  date ;  perhaps 
you  have  heard  that  about  that  time  I  made  a  tour  through 
several  of  the  New  England  States,  and  the  lower  province  of 
Canada,  everywhere  preaching  the  Word.  Immediately  on  my 
return  to  New  York,  I  was  appointed  to  travel  through  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  partially  through  Jersey,  which  filled  up 
every  niche  of  my  time  till  early  in  November,  when  I  arrived 
here,  where  I  am  now  fulfilling  the  duties  of  my  regular  station  ; 
and  scarcely  had  I  become  settled,  before  your  second  favour 
was  forwarded  to  me  from  Philadelphia,  where  it  had  been  di- 
rected. I  greatly  rejoiced  in  the  consolation  which  its  contents 
afforded  me,  and  I  do  most  earnestly  covet  another  and  another, 
'  that  I  may  be  comforted  together  with  you,  by  the  mutual 
faith  both  of  you  and  me.' 

"  While  I  sincerely  mourn  with  you,  that  out  of  so  large  a 
number  of  the  rising  generation  which  your  college  brings  to- 
gether, so  few,  comparatively,  are  wise  to  understand  the  things 
which  belong  to  their  everlasting  peace,  yet  I  thank  God  and 
take  courage,  that  there  is  still  '  a  remnant  according  to  the  elec- 
tion of  grace  ;'  and  while  I  consider  your  own  circumstances,  in 
your  present  situation,  like  those  of  the  '  greatly  beloved'  Daniel, 
in  the  land  of  his  captivity,  and  in  the  house  of  bondage,  yet  like 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD,  421 

him  also,  I  anticipate  concerning  my  greatly  beloved  friend,  that 
he  shall  '  stand  in  his  lot  at  the  end  of  the  days.' 

"  I  am  not  able  to  ascertain  from  the  tenour  of  your  letter, 
whether  or  not  Satan  is  tempting  you  '  in  the  wilderness'  with  re- 
spect to  your  call  to  the  ministry,  or  whether  he  has '  departed  for 
a  season.'  You  express,  however,  in  both  your  letters,  the  com- 
fort you  have  received  from  the  individual  application  which  you 
have  been  enabled  to  make  of  Isa.  vi.  6,  8.  It  is  indeed  a  pas- 
sage very  full  of  comfort,  and  although  you  confess  that  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  chapter  is  dark  and  appalling,  yet  it  need  present 
no  such  horror  to  you.  While  the  qualifications  for  the  ministry 
(circumstances  apart)  must  be  essentially  the  same  with  those 
of  the  prophet,  yet  the  tenour  of  the  commission  which  is  entrust- 
ed unto  us,  runs  in  a  sweeter  strain  ;  '  God  hath  committed  unto 
us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation,  to  wit,  that  God  was  in  Christ 
reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses 
unto  them  ;  now  then  we  are  ambassadors  of  Christ,  as  though 
God  did  beseech  by  us,  we  pray  men  in  Christ's  stead  that  they 
be  reconciled  unto  God.'     O  what  strains  are  these  \ 

'  'Tis  mercy  all,  let  earth  adore, 
Let  angel  minds  inquire  no  more  !' 

Our  great  theme  is  '  Jesus  Christ  crucified  ;'  our  great  business 
is,  to  set  him  forth  to  men,  '  evidently  crucified  before  their 
eyes  ;'  our  great  glorying  is,  '  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  us,  and  we  unto  the 
world."  Oh,  it  is  his  name  which  gilds  the  page  of  our  commis- 
sion ;  it  is  his  name  which  throws  such  a  halo  of  glory  around 
every  part,  as  to  absorb  all  within  its  beams ;  it  is  his  name 
which  contains  the  charm  to  drive  away  the  evil  spirit  out  of 
man : 

'  For  devils  fear  and  fly.' 

'  Happy  if  with  your  latest  breath, 
You  may  but  gasp  his  name, 
Preach  him  to  all,  and  cry  in  death, 
Behold  !     Behold  the  Lamb !' 
2o 


422  LETTERS    OF    THE 

"  I  doubt  not,  my  dear  friend,  that,  rather  than  refuse  the  offer- 
ed privilege,  you  would  sacrifice  your  all.  I  doubt  not  but  you 
have  laid  at  his  feet  your  health,  your  property,  your  reputa- 
tion, your  life  itself ;  and  that  you  have  determined  to  be  the 
servant,  or  rather,  as  you  know  the  term  is,  the  slave  of  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  that  nothing  now  is  wanting  to  your  being  unre- 
servedly given  up  to  the  service  of  your  condescending  Master, 
but  the  solemn  imposition  of  hands,  to  which  you  look  forward 
with  so  much  solicitude. — Continue  to  live  in  the  spirit  of  sacri- 
fice ;  those  things  which  are  gain  to  you  count  loss  for  Christ. 
########## 

"  May  the  Spirit  of  the  Father  and  the  Son  lead  you  into  al] 
truth  !  may  he  be  your  sanctifier,  as  well  as  comforter  !  may  his 
unction  ever  abide  upon  you  :  and  when  that  solemn  hour  shall 
arrive,  when  the  hands  of  the  presbytery  shall  mark  you  out  as 
the  devoted  victim  of  the  daily  cross,  may  his  baptismal  fire 
descend  and  take  up  his  abode  within  you,  purifying  your  heart 
to  be  the  sanctuary  of  God,  and  a  holy  of  holies  for  his  abiding 
habitation!     *     *     *     * 

"  My  dear  yoke-fellow,  yours  in  Christ  Jesus, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

"This  letter  was  received  when  Mr.  Summerfield  was  rapidly 
declining  under  that  complication  of  disorders,  which,  in  the 
month  of  June  next  succeeding,  removed  him  from  us.  The 
remarks  which  follow,  upon  extemporary  preaching,  are  very 
highly  deserving  of  notice,  as  coming  from  such  a  source.  All 
who  ever  heard  this  eminent  pulpit  orator,  will  readily  ac- 
knowledge that  he  approached  to  perfection  in  fluency,  aptness, 
arrangement,  and  choice  of  diction  :  that  is,  in  what  constitutes 
the  highest  praise  of  an  extemporary  speaker." 


KEV.   JOHN   SUMMERFIELD.  423 


[To    THE   SAME.] 

"  Baltimore,  January  4th,  1825. 

"  My  very  dear  friend — 

"  For  a  fortnight  past  I  have  been  interdicted  all  exercise 
of  any  kind,  mental  or  bodily,  and  I  am  still  confined  to  my 
chamber.  My  physicians  are  beginning  to  relax  their  restric- 
tions, and  I  am  permitted  to  correspond,  to  a  certain  extent,  with 
the  friends  of  my  heart. 

"  That  you  may  not  be  uneasy  with  regard  to  the  nature  of 
my  present  indisposition,  I  would  simply  state  that  it  is  but 
temporary,  and  is  the  effect  of  artificial  causes.  I  have  been 
submitting  to  a  course  of  mercury,  at  their  recommendation,  and 
the  process  of  salivation  having  arrived  at  its  highest  state,  my 
debility  was  extreme,  and  I  had  no  rest  out  of  my  bed.  That 
course  is  now  suspended,  and  I  am  slowly  recruiting  ;  very  fa- 
vourable results  are  anticipated,  and  when  I  shall  see  you  in 
the  spring,  by  the  will  of  God,  I  hope  you  will  find  them  real- 
ized.    *     *     * 

"  I  very  sensibly  feel  alive  to  the  confidence  your  letter 
reposes  in  me,  and  I  feel  thankful  also  that  you  let  me  so 
fully  into  your  inside  heart.  I  see  its  workings,  and  how  trem- 
blingly sensitive  it  is  on  the  great  subject  to  which  all  the  energies 
of  your  mind  are  bending.  Will  it  be  any  relief  to  my  dear 
friend  to  assure  him  that  these  anxieties  are  the  counterpart  of 
my  own,  even  unto  this  present  hour  ?  Yes,  for  I  will  not 
scruple  to  disclose  it,  that  although  I  am  now  in  my  seventh 
year  of  ministerial  labour,  the  agony  with  which  I  entered  upon 
it  is  unabated.  I  still  feel  it  a  crucifixion,  a  martyrdom,  a  dying 
daily. 

"  Human  sciences  may  become  familiar  by  incessant  applica- 


424  LETTERS    OF    THE 

lion,  and  practice  may  make  perfect ;  but  the  science  of  salva- 
tion passetk  knowledge  : 

'  I  cannot  reach  the  mystery, 
The  length,  the  breadth,  the  height !' 

Angels  themselves  are  represented  as  desiring  to  look  into  these 
things  ;  and  yet,  with  all  the  might  of  all  their  bending  minds 
united,  they  fail  to  comprehend  them,  and  join  us  in  the  apostles' 
cry, '  O  the  depth,  the  depth  /'  And  it  ever  must  be  so  ;  so  long 
as  we  retain  the  spirit  of  our  commission,  our  dependence  upon 
the  Holy  Spirit  will  continue  to  be  as  sensibly  felt  in  our  last 
sermon,  as  in  our  first,  unless  we  have  learned  to  preach  with- 
out him ;  and  then  we  shall  be  sounding  brass  and  tinkling 
cymbals,  noisy  instruments  of  no  value.  But  let  not  my  dear 
friend  be  therefore  weary,  and  faint  in  his  mind  ;  be  not  un- 
willing to  harbour  the  incessant  cry  within  your  breast,  "  Who 
is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?"  and  let  the  faith  which  moves 
the  mountain  triumphantly  rejoin,  '  My  sufficiency  is  of  God,  / 
can  do  all  things  through  Christ  strengthening  me.'  Ever  lean 
upon  the  promise,  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  '  Lo,  /am 
with  you  always.'  And  you  also  shall  find,  even  if  your  record 
be  that  of  the  brightest  luminary  of  the  Christian  Church,  '  no 
man  stood  by  me,  but  all  men  forsook  me,' — '  nevertheless, 
the  Lord  stood  with  me  !'  'Be  not  thou  therefore  moved  at  the 
afflictions  of  Christ,  but  endure  hardness  as  a  good  soldier.' 
Remember  the  recompense  of  the  reward. 

"  In  reply  to  your  remarks  on  extemporary  discourses,  I  am 
glad  to  find  your  own  soul  in  such  perfect  harmony  with  mine. 
You  very  much  magnify  the  difficulty  of  it,  but  you  have  not 
yet  been  called  to  grapple  with  it ;  and  I  am  fully  persuaded, 
that  even  in  your  infancy  as  a  minister  of  Christ  Jesus,  you  will 
strangle  the  serpent  ;  such  is  my  decided  impression,  from  the 
views  you  have  already  taken  of  the  subject.  And  yet  you  cry, 
'  Hie  labor,  hoc  opus  est  ."  I  do  not  know  that  anything  I  could 
suggest  would  be  applicable  to  your  circumstances,  because  the 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  425 

mode  of  training  for  the  ministry  in  our  church  differs  so  totally 
from  yours. 

"  On  admission  into  our  church,  each  member  is  put  into  a 
class  (so  called)  composed  of  a  dozen  persons,  more  or  less  ;  this 
class  is  under  the  care  of  a  judicious  man,  well  experienced  in 
the  things  of  God  ;  we  call  him  the  class  leader  :  it  is  his  busi- 
ness to  meet  his  class  collectively  once  every  week,  and  speak 
to  each  member  in  relation  to  his  Christian  experience.  This 
method  gives  a  young  man  at  the  outset  a  facility  in  describing 
his  own  views  and  feelings  without  embarrassment,  and  he  is 
improved  by  hearing  his  class-mates  speak  their  experience  in 
like  manner.  Thence  he  is  appointed  to  be  a  leader  himself, 
and  this  affords  a  facility  of  addressing  a  word  of  advice  to  others. 
Thence  he  is  advanced  to  be  a  leader  in  a  prayer-meeting,  then 
an  exhorter,  &c,  &c.  ;  and  finally,  upon  full  trial,  he  enters  the 
ministry,  with  much  less  embarrassment  than  the  man  who  is 
launched  out  from  scenes  in  which  everything  is  prepared  with 
labour,  and  made  the  subject  of  severe  criticism. 

"  In  your  case  I  should  recommend  the  choice  of  a  companion 
or  two,  with  whom  you  could  accustom  yourself  to  open  and 
amplify  your  thoughts  oa  a  portion  of  the  Word  of  God,  in  the 
way  of  lecture  ;  choose  a  copious  subject,  and  be  not  anxious  to 
say  all  that  might  be  said  ;  let  your  efforts  be  aimed  at  giving  a 
strong  outline,  the  filling  up  will  be  much  more  easily  attained. 
Prepare  a  skeleton  of  your  leading  ideas,  branching  them  off  into 
their  secondary  relations  ;  this  you  may  have  before  you.  Digest 
well  the  subject,  but  be  not  careful  to  choose  your  icords  pre- 
vious to  your  delivery.  Follow  out  the  idea  in  such  language 
as  may  offer  at  the  moment.  Don't  be  discouraged  if  you  fall 
down  a  hundred  times,  for  though  you  fall,  you  shall  rise  again  : 
and  cheer  yourself  with  the  prophet's  challenge,  '  Who  hath  de- 
spised the  day  of  small  things  ?' 

"  To  be  a  correct  extemporaneous  preacher,  you  will  need  to 
write  a  food  deal,  in  order  to  correct  style,  and  prune  off  the 
exuberance  of  language  ;  but  I  would  not  advise  you  to  write  on 
2o2 


426  LETTERS   OF    THE 

the  subject  upon  which  you  intend  to  preach.  If  you  fill  up  on 
paper  the  matter  of  your  text,  you  will  contract  a  slavish  habit 
of  cambering  your  mind  with  the  words  of  your  previous  com- 
position. Write  on  other  subjects,  and  leave  your  words  free 
and  spontaneous  for  pulpit  exercises. 

"  If  I  were  near  you,  I  would  show  you  my  plan  of  skeleton- 
izing. As  1  hope  to  have  that  pleasure  in  the  spring,  I  will  then 
let  you  into  my  plans,  if  you  think  them  of  any  value.  I  never 
preach  without  having  prepared  an  outline,  but  I  never  write  a 
sermon  out  at  length. 

"  May  the  Lord  direct  you  in  all  things  !  Write  me  again 
and  again. 

"  Yours,  in  love, 

J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent.] 

"  Baltimore,  \§th  Jan.,  1825. 
"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  This  morning  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Committee  of 
your  Missionary  Society,  on  the  subject  of  the  anniversaries  of 
the  branch  societies,  formed  by  Thomas  and  myself  in  the  fall ; 
may  I  be  permitted  to  answer  it  through  you ;  and  through  the 
same  medium,  to  present  my  thanks  to  the  members  of  that 
Committee  individually,  as  in  their  official  capacity,  for  the 
affectionate  regards  they  manifest  towards  me,  and  the  religious 
pleasure  they  had  contemplated  for  me  as  their  associated  dele- 
gate with  my  former  yoke-fellow. 

"  You  are  not  unacquainted,  my  dear  Doctor,  with  the  ail- 
ments under  which  I  am  labouring  ;  I  am  subjected  to  a  course 
of  calomel  which  keeps  me  very  low,  and  has  precluded  my  pub- 
lic labours  for  the  last  three  weeks  ;  I  had  given  up  the  exter- 
nal use  of  the  ointment,  &c,  but  am  now  laid  under  a  slight 
course  of  internal  application,  taking  five  grains  every  other 
night ;  it  has  had  a  favourable  effect  in  exciting  my  liver  to  a 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  427 

better  action,  but  it  is  very  weakening  ;  and  with  the  prospect 
of  my  continuing  it  some  time  longer,  I  dare  not  say  that  I  could 
enter  into  the  views  of  your  Committee,  much  as  I  desire  to 
manifest  my  readiness  to  comply  with  their  request. 

"  I  am  aware  that  you  design  to  have  the  auxiliary  anniver- 
saries previous  to  your  Conference,  so  as  to  meet  your  annual 
report ;  but  I  really  think  it  a  pity  that  the  most  inclement  sea- 
son of  the  whole  year  should  be  fixed  upon,  viz.  the  middle  of 
February  to  the  end  of  March,  when  travelling  will  be  next  to 
impossible  ;  could  any  other  plan  be  adopted  I  should  be 
pleased — but  I  suppose  that  the  arrangement  for  this  year  at 
least,  is  permanent."         *         *         * 

"  Remember  me  to  all  the  family,  and  believe  me, 
"  My  dear  Doctor, 

"  Ever  yours  in  love, 

"  J.  SUMMERFIELD." 

[To  Mr.  Francis  Hall.] 

"  Baltimore,  Jan.  21st,  1825. 

"  My  dear  Friend — 

"  I  received  your  welcome  favour,  and  also  the  former 
one,  to  which  I  should  have  replied,  but  was  waiting  the  second 
as  promised.  Shall  I  say  you  have  done  well  in  that  you  have 
ministered  to  my  necessities  ?  Nay,  you  have  done  more  ;  the 
great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  could  only  acknowledge  the  minis- 
trations of  his  friends  at  Philippi,  '  once  and  again,"1  but  you 
have  supplied  my  need  more  than  this  ;  acknowledgment  is  all 
the  return  I  can  yet  make, — but  oh,  '  it  is  more  blessed  to  give 
than  to  receive  ;'  I  assure  you  I  feel  the  humiliation  connected 
with  it,  to  which  circumstances  only  could  constrain  my  submis- 
sion ;  but  my  God  shall  supply  all  your  need  out  of  his  riches 
in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus  !"  * 

"  Yours  affectionately, 

"  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


428  LETTERS   OF   THE 

[To  Dr.  Samuel  Baker.] 

Bloomingdale,  N.  Y.,  Tuesday,  March  3d,  1825. 
"  My  dear  Doctor — 

"  I  fear  that  the  delay  of  one  day  in  writing  may  cause  you 
some  uneasiness, — and  yet  that  day  has  elapsed  !  I  arrived 
here  safely  yesterday  evening  after  dark,  and,  being  too  much 
fatigued  to  rise  early,  Mr.  B.  set  off  to  town  before  I  was  up ; 
so  that  the  mail  will  take  its  departure  to-day  without  bringing 
you  any  intelligence.  My  journey  was,  upon  the  whole,  per- 
formed with  as  little  suffering  as  I  could  have  expected ;  and, 
indeed,  it  is  well  that  I  am  here,  for  the  weather  has  again 
become  so  stormy  and  rainy  this  morning  that  if  I  had  not  com- 
pleted it,  I  must  have  been  detained  on  the  road. 

"  I  found  my  dear  father  much  better  than  I  had  expected  : 
I  see  no  particular  change,  except  that  he  has  taken  to  his  bed 
permanently,  which  seems  the  precursor  of  his  approaching 
change.  He  told  me  that  his  feelings  indicated  that  he  should 
be  carried  off  suddenly  ; — he  speaks  of  his  approaching  change 
as  though  he  had  long  accustomed  his  mind  to  be  familiar  with 
the  scene,  and  taught  himself  to  die  daily  ; — we  wept  and  rejoiced 
together.  The  remainder  of  the  family  are  quite  well,  and  all 
desire  to  be  affectionately  remembered. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  how  anxious  I  shall  be  till  I  hear  from 
you  ;  especially  in  reference  to  Mrs.  Dickens  ;  she  is  ever  before 
my  mind  and  upon  my  heart ; — as  for  myself ',  I  am  unusually 
well,  with  an  appetite  greatly  improved  by  travelling. 

"  Commending  you  all  to  my  Father  and  your  Father,  to  my 
God  and  your  God,  and  praying  that  you  may  all  be  preserved 
until  my  coming  again,  I  conclude  in  haste  but  with  much 
affection 


REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD.  429 

"  Kind  remembrance  to  all  friends,  love  to  Mrs.  Dickens, 
Mrs.  Baker,  Eloisa,  and  all  the  children  from  William,  the  first 
fruits  to  little  Blossom, — not  forgetting  Alfred. 

"  Yours  most  truly  and  sincerely, 

"  JOHN  SUMMERFIELD." 


[To  Mr.  Francis  Hall.] 

"  Baltimore,  2d  Dec,  1824. 

"  My  dear  Friend  and  Brother — 

"Although  but  a  month — a  little  month — has  elapsed  since  I 
parted  with  you,  it  seems  an  age.  You  have  often  been  on  my 
mind ;  and  I  suppose  it  is  because  I  have  you  in  my  heart — and 
therefore  I  can  call  you  out  of  my  hiding-place  whenever  I 
please.  But,  why  do  you  keep  silence  ?  Are  you  so  ceremo- 
nious as  to  look  for  me  to  commence  the  conversation  ?  Well ; 
/am  not  so.  I  don't  care  which  of  us  breaks  the  silence,  so 
that  it  introduces  us  into  conversation  ;  and  I  give  you  the  pre- 
sent proof  of  it. 

"  My  time  has  been  so  filled  up,  since  I  came  here,  that  I  have 
scarcely  had  a  spare  niche  in  it.  Mr.  Blackstock,  to  whom  I 
have  written  to-day,  can  tell  you  how  busily  I  have  been  en- 
gaged ;  at  the  same  time,  that  I  am  now  considerably  afflicted 
by  a  general  salivation  over  the  whole  system,  which  induces  a 
languor  and  sluggishness  not  easy  to  be  laid  aside,  even  with  all 
the  reviving  influence  which  I  feel  when  corresponding  with  my 
friends. 

"  Is  it  too  late  ?  Oh,  no.  Never  too  late  to  acknowledge  kind- 
ness. Well,  then,  I  sincerely  thank  you  for  your  token  of  love 
at  our  parting  ;  and  yet  I  can  unaffectedly  add,  '  not  that  I  de- 
sire a  gift,  but  I  desire  fruit  which  shall  abound  to  your  account.' 
I  am  humble  enough  to  confess  that  it  was  of  essential  service 
to  me  ;  but,  never  repeat  it  again.  I  would  not  that  others  should 
be  eased,  and  you  burdened.  I  have  told  the  matter  to  my  Lord, 
and  1  believe,  unworthy  a  servant  as  I  am,  He  will  register  it 


430  LETTERS. 

among  those  gifts  which  he  will  acknowledge  as  done  unto  Him- 
self.    May  He  repay  you,  even  here,  a  hundred  fold ! 

"  How  is  it  that  I  hear  nothing  from  Mr.  L.  ?  I  cannot  think 
that  my  affectionate  advice  to  him  and  his  dear  wife,  on  things 
which  make  for  their  eternal  peace,  can  have  given  them 
offence.  What  would  you  have  me  to  do  ?  Let  me  soon  hear 
from  you,  and  give  me  such  information  on  church  matters  as 
you  know  I  should  feel  interested  in — if  unpleasant  tidings,  let 
me  know  them,  and  we  will  sympathize  together. 

"  I  have  long  thought  of  writing  to  Mrs.  B.  I  will  do  so  in  a 
few  days  ;  at  present,  I  have  at  least  a  dozen  letters  on  church 
affairs,  from  the  East,  West,  North  and  South,  which  are  all  lying 
unanswered.  Two  days  since,  I  heard  from  honest  Finley.  He 
begs,  as  if  for  his  life,  that  I  would  send  him  fifty  dollars,  for 
certain  purposes,  which  are  not  strictly  allowable  out  of  his  mis- 
sion funds.  I  know  he  is  not  a  seeker  of  loaves  and  fishes,  and 
when  he  complains,  he  must  be  far  gone,  indeed — for  he  has 
counted  the  cost.  I  am  going  to  send  it  to  him  to-day,  in  faith 
that  I  may  collect  it  at  a  children's  sermon  next  week,  which  I 
am  going  to  preach  with  reference  thereto. 

"  Yours,  unalterably, 

"J.  SUMMERFIELD" 


REMINISCENCES. 


The  Rev.  Doctor  Bond,  in  his  introduction  to  "  Summer  field's 
Sermons,  and  Sketches  of  Sermons ,"  writes  : 

"  His  discourses  did  not  strike  one  by  the  novelty  of  his  opi- 
nions, or  by  the  erudition  they  displayed.  There  were,  it  is  true, 
in  all  his  sermons,  '  thoughts  that  breathed  and  words  that  burn- 
ed ;'  but,  for  the  most  part,  they  presented  only  '  what  oft  was 
thought,  though  ne'er  so  well  expressed.'  What,  then,  was  the 
irresistible  charm  in  his  preaching  ?  We  honestly  confess  we 
cannot  say.  We  have  some  vague  idea  of  it,  but  cannot  embody 
it  in  words.  There  was,  however,  one  peculiarity  which  could 
not  fail  to  strike  the  hearer :  it  was  what  is  called,  by  common 
consent,  simplicity.  The  truths  he  dwelt  upon  he  had  felt  in  all 
their  power,  and  he  presented  them  in  the  simple,  chaste,  and 
forcible  language  of  unsophisticated  feeling.  The  hearer  who 
participated  in  his  religious  enjoyments,  responded  instinctively 
to  the  very  spirit  of  the  preacher  ;  and  one  who  knew  nothing  of 
such  experience,  felt  that  it  was  the  most  important  want  of  his 
nature,  and  his  whole  soul  went  out  in  cravings  for  the  posses- 
sion. It  was  this  simplicity  of  style  which  never  failed  to  make 
its  way  to  the  heart,  as  certainly  as  pompous  diction,  and  parade 
of  language  and  learning,  shuts  up  every  avenue  to  the  feelings. 

"  But,  though  there  was  much  in  the  clear  perception,  and 
the  personal  experience  of  the  truths  presented,  and  much,  too, 
in  the  simplicity  of  the  style  and  language  in  which  they  were 


432  REMINISCENCES. 

clothed,  it  must  be  admitted  that  there  was  something  in  the 
manner  of  the  preacher,  which  greatly  added  to  the  effect  of  his 
preaching.  But  who  can  describe  this  manner  ?  It  was  not 
the  gracefulness  of  his  attitudes  and  action,  though  these  were 
perfect.  Every  movement,  whether  of  body  or  members,  was 
not  only  exactly  correct,  but  intuitively  expressive  of  thought 
or  feeling,  appearing  to  obey  some  immediate  impulse  of  the 
soul.  There  was  nothing  theatrical,  nothing  studied,  nothing 
which  gave  the  slightest  suspicion  that  it  was  done  for  effect. 
All  seemed  to  come  unsought,  the  immediate,  spontaneous 
sympathy  of  a  body,  which  lived  and  acted  in  obedience  to  the 
promptings  of  the  soul  within  it.  Yet  this  was  not  the  peculiar 
charm,  however  important  an  auxiliary  it  might  be.  It  was  not 
even  the  first,  or  the  strongest  impression  made  on  the  auditory, 
though  it  could  not  fail  to  be  taken  into  the  account.  But  that 
which  we  remember  to  have  struck  us  most  forcibly  in  the 
manner  of  Mr.  Summerfield  was  the  meekness,  the  humility,  the 
lowliness  of  heart,  which  appeared  in  his  whole  deportment, 
bringing  forcibly  to  the  mind,  the  language  and  the  example  of 
Him  who  said,  '  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  of  heart.' 
Every  one  saw  personified,  the  Saviour  of  men  in  the  act  of 
washing  the  feet  of  his  disciples,  and  the  soul  clave  to  the  min- 
ister who  bore  the  image  and  superscription  of  his  Lord.  It 
was  this  that  so  prepossessed  you,  as  to  subdue  and  shame  every 
previously-formed  intention  to  criticise  the  coming  sermon. 
The  affections  were  surrendered  at  once,  and  the  decisions  of 
the  judgment  were  anticipated  by  the  suffrage  of  the  heart.  *  * 
*  *  Mr.  Summerfield  possessed  extraordinary  powers 
in  the  use  of  the  pen ;  he  wrote  with  a  facility  and  accuracy 
that  was  truly  astonishing  ;  apparently  with  as  much  ease  and 
facility  as  he  spoke.  He  has  left  seven  post  octavo  volumes  of 
pulpit  preparations,  containing  between  three  and  four  hundred 
sermons  and  skeletons  of  sermons.  They  are  written  in  a  style 
of  elegance  hardly  to  be  surpassed  ;  an  erasure  or  an  inter 
lineation  is  rarely  to  be  found  in  his  voluminous  manuscripts 


REMINISCENCES.  433 

"  His  indefatigable  application  to  the  study  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures must  have  been  with  p in  in  hand,  as  he  has  also  left  two 
large  books,  one  a  counting-house  ledger,  containing  a  vast 
amount  of  notes  or  comments  on  the  Scriptures,  written  so  ex- 
tremely fine,  and  the  words  so  abbreviated,  that  it  is  difficult  to 
decipher  them  without  a  glass  ;  and,  what  is  remarkable,  an 
immense  amount  of  these  notes  are  written  with  a  fine  lead-pen- 
cil. Doubtless  he  discovered  that  he  could  make  the  pencil 
move  faster  than  the  pen.  It  is  supposed,  from  the  arrange- 
ment and  character  of  this  labour,  he  must  have  contemplated 
writing  a  commentary  on  the  Bible." 

Rev.  Matthew  Rcchey  remarks  "  of  this  admirable  and  la- 
mented young  minister,  whom  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
made  a  polished  shaft  in  his  quiver,  and  in  whom  he  was  greatly 
glorified :" — 

"  At  the  age  of  twenty-three,  Summerfield's  mind  exhibited 
»a  harmony  and  an  expansion  which  very  rarely  anticipate  the 
meridian  of  life.  The  unearthly  invigoration  of  the  love  of 
Christ,  affords  the  only  satisfactory  solution  oi  the  rapid  develop- 
ment of  his  uncommon  mental  energies.  Though  a  diligent 
student,  time  had  not  permitted  him  to  attain  full  maturity  of 
scholarship  ;  but  he  possessed  in  a  high  degree  all  the  attributes 
of  a  mind  of  the  first  order.  His  understanding  was  clear,  his 
judgment  discriminating,  and  his  imagination  so  vigorous  and 
susceptible,  that  it  cost  him  no  effort  to  fling  the  hues  and  tints 
of  vitality  over  the  abstractions-  of  truth,  and  thus  to  impart  to 
the  most  common-place  topic  all  the  freshness  and  interest  of 
originality.  The  natural  erfect  of  his  thrilling  eloquence  was 
materially  aided  by  a  person  and  manner  the  most  graceful,  and 
an  aspect  of  angelic  benignity  :  its  moral  charm  was  the  demon- 
stration and  power  of  that  Divine  Spirit 

*  "Who  touched  Isaiah's  hallowed  lips  with  fire.' 
Summerfield  v  as  an  extemporaneous  preacher,   so  far  as  it  is 

proper  for  any  young  minister  to  be  so.     His  sermons  indeed 
V  2P 


434  REMINISCENCES. 

were  anything  but  unpremeditated  effusions.  Having  enjoyed 
the  rare  intellectual  luxury  of  poring  over  his  manuscripts,  we 
are  prepared  to  state,  that  his  preparations  for  the  Pulpit  evince 
the  full  concentration  of  all  the  powers  of  his  mind,  and  the  best 
use  of  all  the  resources  of  knowledge  within  his  reach,  on  the 
subjects  on  which  he  expatiated.  But  though  rich  in  thought 
and  logical  in  their  arrangement,  the  composition  (purposely  it 
would  seem)  is  left  unfinished.  Definitions  and  exegetical  re- 
marks are  generally  written  out  with  studious  accuracy  and 
precision  ;  but  the  occurrence  on  almost  every  page,  of  broken 
hints,  followed  by  a  significant  dash  of  the  pen,  indicates  the 
orator's  impatience  of  the  trammels  and  tedium  of  previous 
composition  and  the  stirring  of  deep  emotion  within  the  breast, 
that  could  find  full  vent  only  amid  the  hallowed  excitements  of 
the  Sanctuary.  He  did  not  '  offer  to  God  of  that  which  cost 
him  nothing  ;'  but  it  was  the  altar  that  sanctified  his  gift,  and 
the  fire  that  enkindled  his  sacrifice  issued  immediately  from  the 
propitious  heavens. 

"  Whoever  would  form  or  exhibit  a  just  appreciation  of  this 
incomparable  youth,  must,  like  him,  be  decidedly  Wesleyan  in 
his  creed  and  predilections,  in  soul  an  orator,  and  in  piety  a 
saint. 

"  '  O  nate,  ingentem  lucrum  ne  quaere  tucrum ; 
Ostendent  terris  hunc  tantum  fata,  neque  ultra 
Esse  sinent.'  " 

Reminiscences  by  the  lath  Marinus  Willett,  M.  D. 

"  The  first  opportunity  I  had  of  seeing  Mr.  Summerfield  was 
on  the  platform  of  the  City  Hotel,  on  the  anniversary  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  in  the  year  1S22.  On  that  occasion, 
the  venerable  Judge  Boudinot  excited  a  deep  interest ;  but 
among  the  excellent  and  distinguished  men  present,  a  youth  of 
lovely  expression  and  interesting  form,  attracted  my  particular 
attention.     Many  hours  were  occupied  in  listening  to  the  report 


REMINISCENCES.  435 

and  to  the  addresses  ;  the  audience  began  to  evince  strong  symp- 
toms of  weariness  ;  when  this  youth  arose,  instantly  every  eye 
was  fixed  upon  him.  The  first  burst  of  eloquence  was  followed 
by  a  second,  which  raised  the  hearers  from  their  seats  ;  this  was 
soon  succeeded  by  a  third,  which  produced  loud  and  universal 
applause ;  such  a  mode  of  expressing  feeling,  on  any  similar 
occasion,  had  never  before  been  witnessed  in  our  city  : — a  most 

striking  proof  of  the  power  of  eloquence."     * 

*  *  #  #         *  *  #*##* 

"  From  the  similarity  of  Summerfield's  career  to  that  of 
Whitefield,  it  has  been  suggested  that,  as  a  preacher,  he  must 
have  resembled  that  distinguished  orator.  I  heard  a  very  aged 
gentleman,  who  often  enjoyed  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the 
latter,  and  entertained  a  most  exalted  opinion  of  his  merits,  and 
who,  prior  to  his  hearing  Mr.  Summerfield,  was  rather  offended 
at  the  suggestion  that  his  talents  must  resemble  Whitefield's — on 
hearing  Mr.  Summerfield,  for  the  first  time,  this  gentleman  re- 
marked, '  I  must  candidly  confess  that  there  is  an  interest  in  the 
preaching  of  the  latter,  which  surpasses  that  of  the  former. 
There  is  the  same  faithful  exhibition  of  the  truth  ;  the  same 
earnest  appeals  to  sinners  ;  the  same  evidence  of  a  holy  heart, 
most  solemnly  impressed  with  the  value  of  the  soul,  and  the 
same  ardent  desire  to  save  it  from  eternal  wo.  But,  there  is  a 
richer  and  a  more  delightful  eloquence  in  the  presentations  of 
the  truth — an  expression  of  countenance — a  charm  of  manner — 
a  simplicity  and  grace  of  gesture — a  sweetness  of  voice,  and  a 
clearness  of  thought,  which  certainly  makes  Mr.  Summerfield, 
on  the  whole,  a  more  interesting  preacher.' 

"  It  was  the  custom  of  Mr.  Summerfield  to  rise  early.  He 
often  quoted  the  remark  of  Wesley,  that  a  man  could  not  make 
great  attainment  in  the  Divine  life,  who  refused  to  commence 
the  day  with  this  act  of  self-denial.  On  the  morning  of  the 
Lord's  day,  he  was  particularly  solicitous  to  have  a  large  por- 
tion of  time  for  devotional  exercises.  The  influence  of  this 
practice  upon  his  heart,  I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  remark- 


436  REMINISCENCES. 

ing  in  the  savour  of  his  conversation,  on  his  way  to  the  house 
of  God.  He  had  evidently  obtained  a  peculiar  blessing.  This 
was  manifest  by  a  deep  sense  of  the  Divine  presence — a  most 
exalted  view  of  the  honour  of  being  an  ambassador  from  God — a 
solemn  sense  of  his  responsibility  in  the  faithful  delivery  of  his 
message — and  so  earnest  was  his  desire  that  the  sinner  should 
be  saved,  that  he  occupied  the  time  of  a  long  ride  in  giving 
utterance  to  thoughts  expressive  of  these  sentiments.  So  seri- 
ous and  devotional  were  these  occasions,  that  I  shall  always 
remember  them  as  the  most  interesting  of  my  life. 

"  Few  persons,  of  any  seriousness,  will  forget  his  morning 
services  in  the  house  of  God,  which  were  invariably  set  apart 
for  Christians;  the  evening,  for  the  promiscuous  assembly. 
Having,  in  his  early  closet  devotions,  obtained  so  great  a  bless- 
ing for  himself,  we  cannot  be  surprised  that  he  should  commu- 
nicate a  great  blessing  to  his  hearers. 

"  His  popularity  was  greater,  with  all  denominations  of  Christ- 
ians, than  that  of  any  preacher  we  have  ever  had  in  this  city, 
and  it  never  waned. 

"  Mr.  Summerfield  possessed,  in  an  eminent  degree,  the  talent 
of  parlour  preaching.  In  whatever  society  he  was  placed,  he 
did  not  fail  to  use  this  talent  in  his  Master's  service.  So  rich 
and  abundant  were  his  resources,  that  the  conversation  never 
flagged  :  he  maintained  it  with  an  interest  and  vivacity  that 
charmed  and  edified  every  hearer.  He  possessed  a  great  fund 
of  wit,  in  the  use  of  which  he  occasionally  indulged  ;  but  it  was 
with  much  caution  and  restraint.  On  one  occasion,  we  spent 
half  an  hour  in  company  with  a  political  gentleman  of  distin- 
guished talent,  who  had  great  skill  in  repartee,  but  was  entirely 
destitute  of  piety.  Mr.  S.  met  him  on  his  favourite  ground,  and 
opposed  him  with  remarkable  shrewdness,  and  a  display  of 
talent  which  was  really  delightful ;  at  the  same  time,  he  did 
not  omit  to  impress  solemnly  on  his  conscience  his  duty  to  his 
God."     ********** 


REMINISCENCES.  437 

':  We  spent  a  few  days  together  at  the  house  of  Mr.  G s, 


at  Rhinebeck.  Every  person  acquainted  with  that  devoted 
family,  will  appreciate  the  influence  felt  by  all  who  came  within 
their  social  circle.  Mr.  Summerfield's  presence  excited  and 
drew  forth,  with  unusual  power,  the  spirituality  and  devotional 
feelings  of  all.  Mr.  S.  preached,  in  their  house,  to  the  family 
and  neighbours.  He  also  preached  in  the  Methodist  Church  ; 
but,  so  great  was  the  crowd,  that  few,  comparatively,  were 
accommodated.  This  induced  them  to  make  suitable  prepara- 
tions for  a  sermon  in  a  wood.  The  day  was  extremely  propi- 
tious ;  a  large  multitude  assembled ;  the  silence  and  attention 
of  the  people — the  youth,  eloquence  and  solemnity  of  the 
preacher — the  fine  effect  of  the  solemn  service  amidst  the  trees 
of  the  grove — produced  an  impression  long  to  be  remembered. 

"  Mr.  Summerfield  proceeded  to  Albany,  for  the  purpose  of 
preaching  a  sermon  and  making  a  collection,  towards  paying  the 
debt  of  the  Church  in  that  city.  On  this  occasion,  Dr.  Lacy, 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  with  a  singular  generosity, 
offered  the  use  of  his  church  ;  and,  though  the  service  was  held 
on  a  week-day  evening,  the  church  was  crowded  to  overflowing. 
His  text  was,  '  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God,'  &c.  At  the 
close  of  the  discourse,  he  seized  the  opportunity  of  alluding  to 
the  change  which  had  taken  place,  within  a  few  years,  in  the 
sentiments  entertained  by  persons  of  different  denominations, 
towards  each  other.  He  described  a  large  vine,  whose  branches 
extended  in  several  directions  ;  the  different  vine-dressers  had 
built  their  walls  around  their  branches.  If  you  enter  the  sepa- 
rate enclosures,  and  taste  the  fruit,  you  will  find  the  various 
modes  of  culture  and  training  have  produced  a  difference  in  the 
flavour ;  by  and  by,  the  Great  Vine-Gatherer  will  come  and 
collect  all  the  fruit  from  these  many  enclosures,  and  press  them 
in  the  common  wine-press  ;  then,  it  will  be  impossible  to  distin- 
guish any  difference.  A  few  years  ago,  he  said,  these  party- 
walls  were  so  high,  that  he  could  not  look  over  them  ;  but  nowy 

he  had  absolutely  leaped  over  them. 
2  P2 


438  REMINISCENCES. 

"  From  Albany  he  went  to  Troy,  and  was  entertained  at  the 
house  of  an  Episcopalian  of  that  city — so  eager  were  persons 
of  all  denominations  to  manifest  their  respect  for  one  whose 
character  was  so  well  calculated  to  win  their  friendship  and 
admiration.  He  was  anxious  to  promote  every  good  work.  He 
took  a  deep  interest  in  the  formation  of  the  '  American  Tract 
Society.''  He  embraced  the  liberal  opinion  that,  as  the  points 
of  difference  between  true  Christians  are  very  few  and  probably 
of  trifling  importance,  a  combined  effort  of  all  denominations,  in 
preaching  the  gospel,  by  means  of  the  press,  to  the  millions  of 
our  land,  may  be  expected  to  produce  the  happiest  results  ;  an 
anticipation  that  has  been  most  fully  realized."       *         *         * 

[Letter  from  the  Rev.  H.  B.  Bascom,  DC,  to  the  Rev 

Samuel  K.  Jennings.] 

"  Pittsburg  (Pa,),  June  20th,  1825. 
"  Dear  Doctor — 

"  I  have  just  learned  that  our  friend  Summerfield  is  no 
more !  I  read  the  obituary  notice  of  his  death  with  mingled 
emotions  of  regret  and  admiration.  I  regret,  most  sincerely, 
that  the  church  and  the  world  have  sustained  a  loss  of  such 
magnitude,  but  am  forcibly  struck  with  admiration,  when  I 
learn  the  manner  in  which  our  friend  encountered  death,  his 
'  final  foe.'  He  has,  doubtless,  exchanged  the  toils  and  duties  of 
time,  for  the  rest  and  rewards  of  eternity !  In  my  estimation, 
John  Summerfield  exhibited  a  rare  union  of  talent  and  piety — 
of  ability  and  worth.  He  certainly  possessed  a  mind  of  no 
ordinary  mould,  and  a  heart  of  no  common  virtue.  As  a  man 
and  a  minister  he  was  unquestionably  'one  of  a  thousand.'  If 
we  have  among  us  those  who  possess  equally  discriminating 
minds,  there  are  few,  indeed,  who  can  lay  claim  to  the  same 
exquisite  culture  and  discipline  of  thought  and  feeling.  I 
sincerely  wish  the  world  may  be  furnished  with  some  specimens 
of  his  admirable  skill  as  a  preacher. 


REMINISCENCES.  439 

11  From  his  known  habits  of  study  and  preaching,  I  think  he 
must  have  left  behind  some  valuable  manuscripts.  It  is  a 
thought,  in  my  opinion,  worthy  the  attention  of  his  friends  and 
a  generous  public.  Would  to  God  I  were  the  favoured  Elisha 
destined  to  share  the  benediction,  and  catch  the  inspiration  of  his 
mantle  !  It  is  a  dispensation  of  Providence  in  which  few  will 
acquiesce  without  feelings  and  expressions  of  the  deepest  regret 
and  disappointment.  It  requires  more  of  the  Christianity  of  the 
New  Testament  than  most  of  us  possess,  to  say,  in  such  cases 
of  affliction  and  bereavement, 

'  Perish  the  grass,  and  fade  the  flower, 
If  firm  the  word  of  God  remains.' 

Summerfield  is  dead— but  his  '  blossom  has  not  gone  up  like 
the  dust' — Long  will  he  live  and  flourish  in  the  memory  of 
thousands  !" 


Recollections  of  Summerfield,  by  Mrs.  Creagh. 

"  It  was  in  the  year  1820  when  residing  in  Fermoy,  Ireland, 
tnat  I  first  became  acquainted  with  the  late  Rev.  John  Sum- 
merfield. At  that  time  an  intimate  friendship  commenced, 
which  continued  ( except  during  short  intervals  of  local  separa- 
tion; until  his  death. 

"  It  was  my  happiness  to  be  entrusted  with  a  large  share  of  his 
confidence  and  affection ;  by  which  I  became  familiar  with  the 
sweetness  of  his  disposition,  the  tenderness  of  his  feelings,  the 
purity  of  his  heart  and  the  elegant  refinement  of  his  mind  :  all 
which,  in  connection  with  his  other  rare,  endowments,  made  him 
an  object  of  special  interest  and  regard. 

"  This  early  acquaintance  afforded  me  an  opportunity  of  hear- 
ing him  preach  some  of  his  first  sermons — before  his  fame  had 
preceded  him  ;  and  I  can  confidently  say  that  even  this  incipient 


440  REMINISCENCES. 

stage  of  his  ministerial  career  was  strongly  marked  by  indica- 
tions of  that  elevated  style,  charming  eloquence,  and  chastened 
imagination,  which  shone  '  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect 
day,'  and  which  captivated  wondering  thousands  in  both  hemis- 
pheres, who  hung  with  rapture  upon  his  lips. 

"  His  entrance  upon  the  work  of  the  ministry  was  not  to  him 
'  a  cause  of  small  import.'  This,  not  only  the  expressions  of 
his  lips,  but  the  struggles  of  his  heart,  amply  testified.  Fre- 
quently have  I  been  pained  in  witnessing  those  unutterable 
emotions  within  him,  which  seemed  to  say  in  language  which 
none  but  an  ambassador  of  Christ  can  fully  understand,  '  who 
is  sufficient  for  these  things  V 

"  But  in  '  doing  the  work  of  an  evangelist,  and  making  full 
proof  of  his  ministry,'  it  was  made  manifest  unto  all,  that  his 
'  sufficiency  was  of  God,  who  had  made  him  an  able  minister 
of  the  New  Testament,'  and  by  whose  all-inspiring  Spirit  the 
'  letters  of  his  commendation'  were  written  and  sealed  upon 
many,  many  hearts. 

"  Soon  after  he  was  thus  engaged  in  his  Master's  vineyard,  a 
correspondence  between  us  commenced  ;  from  which  I  learned, 
that  incessant  demands  were  made  upon  the  time  and  services 
of  this  incomparable  youth :  for  quickly  his  '  praise  was  in  all 
the  churches.'  Indeed,  so  numerous  and  pressing  were  the  in- 
vitations from  all  quarters,  that  my  fears  were  soon  excited  lest 
his  feeble  tenement  should  early  fall  beneath  the  weight  of  his 
abundant  labours.  For  while  the  listening  multitudes  were 
charmed  and  transported  with  the  exhibition  and  development 
of  such  extraordinary  powers,  they  apparently  forgot  that  the 
treasure  was  deposited  in  an  '  earthen  vessel' — that  so  rich 
and  rare  a  jewel  was  encased  in  so  frail  a  casket. 

"  His  letters  were  always  welcome  visitors  :  they  bore  his  own 
'  image  and  superscription' — the  impress  of  his  mind  and  heart. 
The  former,  original,  vigorous,  expansive,  and  liberal — the  lat- 
ter, holy,  humble,  fervent,  and  heavenly — breathing  forth,  under 


REMINISCENCES.  441 

the  influence  of  burning  zeal  and  ardent  love,  '  Glory  to  God 
in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will  towards  men.' 

"  The  easy,  fascinating  style  of  his  letters,  their  freshness  of 
thought,  their  fruitfulness  of  incidents,  together  with  the  spirit 
of  piety  with  which  they  were  so  richly  imbued,  still  live  in 
my  fond  remembrance,  and  bring  to  mind,  that  the  writer  of 
them  '  lived  and  moved  and  had  his  being '  in  the  pure  element 
of  living  faith  and  holy  love. 

"  In  private  life  he  was  no  less  pleasing.  Affable,  courteous, 
cheerful,  and  instructive,  he  was  the  happiness  of  the  social  cir- 
cle. The  aged  sat  and  wondered  at  the  wisdom  which  fell  from 
his  lips ;  while  the  young,  rejoicing  in  his  presence,  delighted 
to  honour  him  as  their  instructor  and  friend. 

"  His  first  visit  to  my  house  made  impressions  on  my  heart 
which  have  never  been  obliterated  ;  and,  ever  after,  his  expected 
coming  was  regarded  by  every  member  of  my  family,  to  whom  he 
became  individually  endeared,  with  heartfelt  pleasure  and  delight. 

"  In  fine,  '  he  was  a  burning  and  a  shining  light, — a  brilliant 
star  in  the  right  hand  of  his  Redeemer ;  and  though  no  more 
seen  in  the  moral  firmament  of  the  visible  church,  reflecting  the 
glory  of  his  living  Head,  he  has  not  '  fallen  from  heaven,'  but 
is,  doubtless,  '  shining  forth  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  his 
Father.' 

FROM    THE    REV.    J.    N.    DANFORTH. 

"  Summerfield  could  tell  a  pious  anecdote,  and  with  equal  ap- 
parent ease  and  no  alteration  in  manner,  before  one  person  or  three 
thousand,  with  such  a  grace  and  amiable  dignity,  united  with  ap- 
positeness  and  impressiveness, — in  a  word,  with  such  a  manner  as 
was  the  property  of  no  other  person  I  ever  saw.  He  abounded  in 
anecdotes  at  public  meetings  for  benevolent  purposes.  In  this, 
like  the  religious  part  of  the  nation  from  whence  he  sprang,  he  was 
ahead  of  us.  I  have  seen  some  feeble  attempts  among  our  good 
countrymen  to  walk  in  the  same  track  ;  but,  though  well  enough, 


442  REMINISCENCES. 

they  were  poor  indeed  when  compared  with  the  graceful,  fluent, 
and  unhesitating  manner  of  the  youthful  Summerfield.  He  has 
sometimes  been  facetious  in  a  meeting  of  a  Marine  Bible 
Society,  or  a  Missionary  Society,  to  such  a  degree  as  to  make 
the  whole  audience  shake  with  laughter,  while  his  own  lovely 
countenance  relaxed  only  into  a  gentle  smile  ; — but  then  if  he 
thought  the  humorous  chord  had  been  too  violently  swept  by  him, 
he  would  by  no  very  slow  process  touch  the  pathetic  one,  and 
then  every  smile  would  flee  away,  and  the  tears  would  begin  to 
course  down,  not  merely  the  delicate  cheek  of  female  beauty, 
but  the  rough  visage  of  the  hardy  sailor,  or  the  uncouth 
labourer.  And  as  he  just  assumed  the  mastery  (what  power 
has  real  eloquence  !)  over  all  that  came  in  the  limit  of  his  voice, 
rousing  or  hushing  such  passions  as  he  pleased,  he  was  careful 
that  the  last  passion  excited  should  be  a  serious  one,  and 
endeavoured  in  general  to  leave  a  solemn  impression  at  the 
conclusion." 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  SUMMERFIELD,  BY  THE    REV.  WM.    M.    WILLETT. 

"  As  I  mournfully  cast  my  eye  over  dates,  notes  and  letters 
connected  with  the  memory  of  Summerfield,  I  find  a  long  lapse 
of  sixteen  years  to  have  intervened  since  he  first  appeared  to 
me,  a  mere  youth,  as  a  legate  from  the  skies.  Never  shall  I 
forget  the  Sabbath  morning  when  I  first  saw  him  stand  up  in 
the  holy  place  as  an  ambassador  for  Christ.  His  address  the 
preceding  week  at  the  Anniversary  of  the  American  Bible  Soci- 
ety, borne  on  a  thousand  tongues,  had  spread  the  rumour  of  his 
unrivalled  eloquence  through  the  city.  Great  was  the  eager- 
ness to  hear  him.  Along  with  the  crowd  I  entered  the  Metho- 
dist Church  in  Duane  street.  The  Church  was  already  nearly 
filled,  though  the  hour  for  preaching  had  not  arrived.  Expec- 
tation was  depicted  in  every  countenance,  and  frequently  was 
the  eye  directed  to  the  door  with  anxious  curiosity.  At  length 
he  entered  ;  my  eye  followed  him  intently  along  the  aisle.    He 


REMINISCENCES.  443 

walked  with  a  slow,  graceful  step — his  eye  fixed  upward.  Ab- 
sorbed in  the  emotions  of  his  own  heart,  the  congregation  did 
not  appear  in  the  slightest  degree  to  attract  his  attention.  He 
appeared,  intellectually  and  spiritually,  to  soar,  like  the  eagle, 
far  aloft  above  all  low  and  common  thoughts.  In  a  very  especial 
manner,  upon  this  occasion,  though  the  remark  will  indeed 
most  justly  admit  of  a  general  application,  '  he  preached  not 
himself,  but  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.'  Full  of  the  love 
of  Christ — gazing  on  his  glory — self  was  forgotten ;  human 
applause,  though  not  to  be  undervalued,  was  a  bubble. 

"  In  the  pulpit,  before  he  commenced,  his  manner  was  rever- 
ent, meek,  unaffected.  After  a  brief,  silent  prayer,  he  rose.  He 
read  one  of  the  Psalms,  then  a  hymn  with  uncommon  beauty 
and  force.  The  tones  of  his  voice  were  low  and  remarkably 
sweet — but  the  enunciation  was  so  clear  and  distinct  as  to  fall 
fully  upon  the  ear  of  the  most  distant  hearer.  The  prayer 
which  followed  was  distinguished  for  simplicity,  fervour,  beauty, 
pathos.  The  text — who  that  listened  to  this  discourse  can  ever 
forget  it — was  Heb.  xii.,  1,2:  '  Wherefore,  seeing  we  also  are 
compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  let  us 
lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset 
us,  and  let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us, 
looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith ;  who, 
for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him,  endured  the  cross,  despising 
the  shame,  and  is  set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of 
God.'  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  describe  the  sermon.  I  felt 
the  power  of  an  impassioned,  heavenly  oratory,  but  I  was  not 
prepared  to  analyze,  it.  This  belonged  to  a  cooler  head,  and  a 
heart  less  absorbed  than  mine  was  at  the  time. 

"  I  need  not  say  that  the  favourable  impression  produced  by  his 
oratory  was  universal.  From  this  morning  crowds  filled  every 
church  in  which  he  preached  ;  and  though  he  did  not  always 
soar  with  an  equal  flight — though  his  wing  would  now  and  then 
droop — yet,  upon  the  whole,  who  that  heard  him  is  not  ready, 
with  a  sigh,  to  say,  '  We  ne'er  shall  look  upon  his  like  again.' 


444  REMINISCENCES. 

"  I  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  accompanying  Mr.  Summerfield 
on  his  first  visit  to  Trenton,  N.  J.  His  original  intention  was 
to  proceed  as  far  as  Philadelphia,  but  his  health  obliged  him  to 
return  direct  from  Trenton  to  New  York.  On  the  steamboat 
between  New  York  and  Brunswick,  surrounded  by  a  few 
friends,  his  conversation  was  very  attractive  and  interesting. 
He  abounded  with  anecdote,  and  possessed  a  happy  art  of 
telling  a  story.  But  though  exceedingly  entertaining  as  a  com- 
panion, yet  he  never — not  in  a  solitary  instance — degenerated 
into  levity.  His  fund  of  anecdote  and  narrative  were  happily 
rendered  subservient  to  the  great  interest  of  religion.  Though 
you  might  listen  to  him  for  hours  with  unflagging  attention,  yet 
at  the  close  you  felt  no  disposition  to  that  sort  of  mirth  which 
is  like  the  '  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot.'  The  fancy  might 
be  entertained — the  curiosity  excited — a  chastened  cheerfulness 
might  prevail ;  but  with  all,  the  heart  was  purified  and  refreshed. 

"  We  spent  the  night  at  Brunswick.  The  next  morning,  hav- 
ing a  little  leisure  before  the  stage  left,  he  visited  several  fami- 
liesr  praying  in  each  •,  and  leaving  behind  the  unction  of  a  holy 
conversation.  To  pray  in  the  families  he  visited  was  his  inva- 
riable rule.     He  never  overlooked  little  children. 

"  On  our  way  from  Brunswick  to  Trenton,  in  the  stage,  Mr. 
S.  occupied  with  two  others  the  middle  seat.  His  pale,  youth- 
ful countenance,  with  his  general  appearance,  led  an  elderly 
respectable  gentleman,  who  occupied  the  front  seat,  to  take  him 
for  a  student  of  Princeton  College.  Under  this  impression,  he 
requested  him,  rather  peremptorily,  however,  to  change  seats. 
Though  struck  with  surprise,  rather  perhaps  at  the  manner  in 
which  the  request  was  made,  than  at  the  request  itself,  after  a 
momentary  hesitation — during  which  his  pale  cheek  was  tinged 
with  a  momentary  flush — he  changed  seats  without  a  word. 
Of  all  those  in  the  stage,  not  one,  on  the  ground  of  health 
{which  was  the  reason  assigned  aflenvards  for  making  the  re- 
quest), required  accommodation  as  much  as  Mr.  S.  As  it  was, 
the  change  of  seat  affected  him  considerably.     I  am  happy  to 


KEMINISCENXES.  445 

add,  however,  that  the  gentleman  having  arrived  in  Trenton,  and 
discovered  his  mistake,  took  the  earliest  opportunity  to  apolo- 
gize to  Mr.  S.,  and  by  the  greatest  kindness  endeavoured  to 
remove  any  unpleasant  feelings  which  he  might  inadvertently 
have  occasioned.  The  meek  spirit  of  his  master,  with  which 
Mr  S.  was  imbued,  led  him  at  once  to  forget  the  occurrence, 
and  to  cherish  the  most  sincere  gratitude  for  all  the  after  kind- 
ness of  this  gentleman,  with  whom  an  interesting  correspond- 
ence was  kept  up. 

"  We  reached  Trenton  rather  late  on  Saturday  afternoon. 
Greatly  fatigued  with  his  ride,  he  retired  early  to  rest.  He, 
however,  slept  but  little,  and  rose  with  the  dawn  next  morning. 
He  had  not  taken  tea  the  previous  evening,  and  he  scarcely 
tasted  any  breakfast  this  Sabbath  morning.  His  mind  was  evi- 
dently labouring  under  a  heavy  burden — the  message  he  was 
about  to  deliver.  He  scarcely  spoke  at  the  table.  The  rest  of 
his  time,  till  service  began,  was  spent  in  his  room,  in  prayer  and 
meditation.  He  preached  his  first  sermon  in  Trenton,  in  the 
Methodist  Church,  which  was  small  and  awkwardly  con- 
structed. I  do  not  think  this  morning  he  preached  with  his 
usual  effect.  Having  been  invited  to  occupy  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  he  preached  successively  Monday  and  Tuesday  even- 
ings, to  verv  laro-e,  and  exceedingly  interested  audiences. 

"  The  greater  part  of  Monday  and  Tuesday  was  occupied  by 
numerous  calls.  His  society  was  eagerly  courted,  not  simply 
on  account  of  bis  eloquence  as  an  orator,  but  from  the  charm 
his  conversational  powers  threw  around  the  social  circle.  From 
Trenton  he  returned  to  New  York,  to  be  laid  immediately  on  a 
sick-bed. 

"  I  heard  the  first  sermon  he  delivered  after  his  recovery  from 
this  sickness.  It  was  preached  in  John  street  Church,  Sabbath 
morning,  Sept.  30,  1S21.  The  text  on  this  occasion  was  Ps. 
cxvi.  12,  13,  14:  '  What  shall  1  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all 
his  benefits  toward  me  ?  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and 
call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord.  J  will  pay  my  vows  unto  the 
2   Q 


446  REMINISCENCES. 

Lord  now,  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people.'  The  Church  was 
crowded  to  excess.  The  walls  in  the  gallery  were  darkened 
with  people,  pressed  high  up  against  them.  Great  anxiety  was 
expressed  by  the  congregation,  lest  they  should  be  disappointed  ; 
and  this  evidently  increased  as  the  hour  hand  of  the  clock  ap- 
proached nearer  and  nearer  the  time  to  begin.  But  precisely  at 
the  hour,  he  entered,  his  countenance,  if  possible,  paler,  and 
less  earth-like  than  usual.  An  increased  interest  was  thrown 
about  him  this  morning,  by  his  recent  recovery  from  a  sickness 
which  it  was  generally  feared  would  have  terminated  his  short 
but  useful  and  brilliant  career.  His  own  heart  overflowed  with 
gratitude  to  God ;  his  countenance  sparkled  with  a  holy  joy. 
The  sermon,  as  the  text  indicates,  was  adapted  to  the  occasion." 

In  the  spring  of  1822,  Mr.  Summerfield  made  his  first  visit  to 
Baltimore  to  speak  at  a  missionary  meeting ;  as  much  was 
expected  from  him,  the  church  was  crowded'  to  excess.  The 
Rev.  John  (late  Bishop)  Emory  concluded  a  most  interesting 
speech  by  introducing  Mr.  S.  somewhat  as  follows  :  "  I  will  not 
detain  you  longer,  I  know  the  anxiety  of  the  audience  to  enjoy 
the  rich  feast  that  is  to  follow,  and  I  wish  to  enjoy  it  with  them ; 
we  have  reserved  the  best  wine  to  the  last." 

The  youthful  Summerfield,  perfectly  cool  and  collected,  arose  ; 
he  cast  his  eyes  over  that  immense  cono-reo-ation  and  then 
exclaimed — "  What  means  this  flourish  of  trumpets  ?  Who  is 
this  John  Summerfield  whose  name  is  bandied  through  the  land  ? 
a  lad — a  mere  lad  of  yesterday,  with  his  '  five  barley  loaves  and 
two  small  fishes,  and  what  are  they  among  so  many  ?'  But  the 
gentleman  says  he  has  reserved  the  best  wine  till  the  last — this 
is  inverting-  the  order  of  the  feast :  '  every  man  at  the  beginning 
doth  set  forth  good  wine,  and  when  men  have  well  drunk  then 
that  which  is  worse' — but  I  have  not  the  worse  wine  to  offer 
you,  mine  is  mere  water  ;  but  if  the  master  of  the  feast  should 
deign  to  touch  the  water  and  turn  it  to  wine  it  may  be  the  very 


REMINISCENCES.  447 

best  wine, — but  recollect,  my  friends,  the  excellency  would  not 
be  of  man  but  of  God."  Mr.  Summerfield  then  proceeded,  says 
Dr.  Bona,  in  his  usual  inimitable  manner 

Shortly  after  the  meeting  above  referred  to,  Mr.  Emory  (late 
Bishop)  wrote  to  a  friend  as  follows  : 

"  I  heard  brother  Summerfield  preach  last  night  at  Eutaw,  to 
one  of  the  most  crammed  congregations  I  ever  saw.  The  clergy 
generally,  I  believe,  were  present,  and,  as  far  as  I  have  heard, 
all  were  greatly  pleased.  Dr.  Glendy,  to  whom  I  was  intro- 
duced, said  to  me, '  Well,  we  have  had  a  gospel  feast,  and  in 
the  first  style  of  elegance.'  I  have  just  come  from  dining  at  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Nevins'  in  company  with  ten  clergymen,  Methodists 
and  others,  including  Mr.  Summerfield.  Poor  fellow,  he  is  caressed 
and  run  after,  almost  beyond  measure;  I  wish  he  may  have  grace 
to  bear  it.  I  think  him  an  amiable  young  man,  and  admire  him 
far  above  any  of  his  age  I  have  ever  heard.  He  has  promised 
to  go  with  me  to  Annapolis  on  Friday  to  spend  the  Sabbath 
there."  This  Mr.  Summerfield  accordingly  did,  and  thus  speaks 
of  his  visit  in  a  letter  written  to  Mr.  Emory  some  time  afterwards : 

"  I  bid  you  farewell  with  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  kind- 
ness you  showed  me  at  Annapolis,  and  the  solicitude  you  mani- 
fested to  administer  to  my  many  wants,  and  add  to  my  abundant 
comforts.  This  is  no  paradox  to  you  ;  while  my  body  was  weak, 
my  spirit  was  refreshed  day  by  day,  and  as  iron  sharpeneth 
iron,  so  did  the  face  of  my  friend — my  first  friend  in  this  strange 
land — refresh  my  heart." 

Allusion  is  here  made  to  the  fact,  that  on  Mr.  Summerfield's 
arrival  in  this  country,  Mr.  Emory,  having  previously  become 
acquainted  with  him  in  England,  was  enabled  to  relieve  him 
from  a  very  embarrassing  situation  in  which  he  was  placed  for 
want  of  the  usual  testimonials  of  his  ministerial  standing  at  home, 
which  he  had  not  brought  with  him,  because  he  did  not  expect 
to  remain  in  this  country. — Life  of  Emory,  page  138. 


448  REMINISCENCES. 

RECOLLECTIONS  OF  SUMMERFIELD,  BY  THE  REV.   DR.  BETHUNE. 

"  The  portrait  of  Summerfield*  [in  the  Memoirs] ,  though 
much  too  healthful,  is  perhaps  the  best  likeness  imitative  skill 
could  give  of  that  most  apostolical  young  man.  It  is  impossible 
to  impress  upon  canvass  or  steel  the  holy  sweetness,  which 
they,  who  had  the  privilege  of  knowing  him,  remember  irradiat- 
ing his  pale,  worn  features,  when  he  talked  of  the  love  of  Jesus 
from  the  pulpit,  on  the  platform,  or  by  the  fireside.  Much  less 
can  the  cold  pen  describe  the  charm  of  his  eloquence,  so  simple 
that  you  could  discover  in  it  no  rhetorical  art,  or  of  his  manner 
so  mild,  and  from  bodily  weakness  often  so  feeble,  that  the 
entranced  hearer  knew  not  how  he  was  so  deeply  moved,  or  so 
irresistibly  carried  away.  The  secret  of  his  power  was  undoubt- 
edly his  sincerity,  his  earnest  delight  in  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  and  his  zeal  to  win  souls  from  eternal  death  for  his  Mas- 
ter's glory,  and  also,  the  peculiar  efficacy  with  which  the  Holy 
Spirit,  who  inspired  that  truth  he  loved  to  preach  in  such 
pureness,  unfeignedness  and  charity,  accompanied  the  labours  of 
one  so  devoted  to  his  work,  whose  course  on  earth  was  to  be 
so  brief. 

"  His  discipline,  by  the  Providence  of  God,  was  severe. 
Like  the  apostle  Paul,  '  he  had  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,'  a  painful 
and,  as  he  had  reason  to  believe,  an  incurable  disease.  He  knew 
that  his  life  could  not  be  long.  With  eternity  ever  before  him, 
'he  endured  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible.'  To  him,  as  he 
'  died  daily,'  the  world's  applause  and  the  pleasures  of  this  life 
were  little  worth.  He  was  continually  looking  at  '  the  things 
which  are  not  seen  and  eternal.'  He  felt  that  there  was  nothing 
left  for  him,  but  to  crowd  into  his  few  remaining  days  as  much 
usefulness  as  was  possible  through  the  permission  of  God  upon 
whom  he  relied.  The  usefulness  he  desired,  was  the  best 
usefulness,  the  edification  of  saints  and  the  conversion  of  sin- 
ners.    The  means  he  employed,  were  the  very  best  means,  the 


*  See  Frontispiece. 


REMINISCENCES.  449 

pure  word  of  the  Gospel,  '  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  the  power  of 
God.' 

"  It  is  said,  '  he  was  a  man  of  prayer,''  but  he  was  in  no  less 
eminent  degree  a  man  of  the  Bible.  He  appeared  to  lose  him- 
self entirely  in  the  preacher.  He  was  free  from  what  is  fre- 
quently little  better  than  tricky  conceit,  '  textual'  divisions. 
He  struck  immediately  at  the  main  thought.  He  gathered  his 
argument  from  the  connection,  or  that  of  parallel  passages.  It 
was  his  text  preaching,  rather  than  himself.  His  language  was 
very  scriptural,  his  definitions  and  his  illustrations  were,  with 
scarce  an  exception,  from  the  Bible.  He  may  not  have  been  a 
classical  scholar  in  the  stronger  sense  of  the  term,  though  it  was 
not  difficult  to  detect  a  familiarity  with  good  authors,  and  an 
occasional  reference  to  their  elegance  in  his  style,  but  he  hal- 
lowed all  with  that  '  unction  from  the  Holy  One,'  which  can 
only  be  received  on  our  knees  before  *  the  living  oracles.'  With 
little  of  their  quaintness,  he  bad  all  the  naturalness  (the 
naturalness  of  a  better  nature)  that  characterizes  the  older 
English  divines.  Ever}'  sentence  of  his  that  I  remember,  is  pure 
Saxon,  the  English  of  our  beloved  English  Bible.  He  turned 
his  sweetest  passages,  or  gave  them  epigrammatic  point,  by  a 
scriptural  phrase  at  their  close.  The  flock  of  Christ,  under  the 
guidance  of  the  stripling  shepherd,  were  led  in  the  green  pas- 
tures and  beside  the  still  waters  where  his  own  soul  had  been 
fed.  They  felt  safe  under  his  instructions,  for  they  saw  the 
land-marks  which  God  has  set.  His  metaphysics  were  not 
laboured  and  abstruse,  for  he  found  his  philosophy^ sitting  at  the 
feet  of  him  who  preached  his  Gospel  to  the  poor. 

"  Summerficld  was  too  honest  to  check  the  exclamations  that 
rose  flowing  from  his  heart  to  his  lips,  at  the  gracious  wonders 
of  divine  truth.  Like  the  ardent  Paul,  the  name  of  Jesus,  a  sight 
of  the  cross,  a  glimpse  of  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed,  made 
him  cry  out  in  subdued  and  holy  ecstacy.  Or,  as  the  thought  of 
souls  perishing  in  sin  pressed  upon  his  soul,  he  would  break  his 
order  with  an  earnest  ejaculation.  '  Would  to  God  !'  '  0  that 
2q2 


450  REMINISCENCES. 

God  !'  '  God  grant !'  were  frequent  from  his  lips,  not  care- 
lessly, but  with  an  emphasis  of  devotion  none  could  doubt, 
Indeed,  he  not  only  prayed  before  he  preached  and  after  he 
preached,  (for  he  went  to  the  pulpit  from  his  knees,  and  to  his 
knees  from  his  pulpit),  but  he  seemed  to  be  praying  while  he 
preached.  Prayer  was  so  much  his  breath,  that  as  Gregory 
Nazianzen  says  of  the  true  Christian,  the  breathing  went  on 
whatever  he  was  doing,  not  hindering  him,but  necessary  to  him. 
The  hearer  felt  that  it  was  the  preacher's  heart,  as  well  as  his 
mind  and  voice,  that  was  talking  to  him  ;  and  that  that  heart 
was  invoking  blessings  for,  while  it  pleaded  with,  sinners  and 
saints. 

"  He  had  also  an  easy  wit,  which  upon  fitting  occasions  played 
gracefully,  but  never  sarcastically.  He  was  too  kind-hearted  to 
be  sarcastic,  too  devout  to  be  jocose. 

"  The  first  time  that  I  heard  him  (and  perhaps  the  second  time 
he  spoke  here  in  public)  was  on  the  anniversary  of  the  American 
Bible  Society,  then  an  infant  institution.  I  recollect  the  vener- 
able President,  Elias  Boudinot,  leaving  the  chair  to  seek  some 
repose  from  the  excitement  too  severe  for  his  aged  frame.  The 
speaker,who  preceded  Summerfield  was  a  divine  then  and  long 
afterward  highly  esteemed  and  admired  for  his  strong  sense,  his 
elaborate  finish,  and  his  Ciceronian  dignity.  His  address  was 
truly  a  masterpiece,  profound  in  argument,  accurate  in  logical 
analysis,  and  very  impressive  in  its  conclusions.  A  clerical 
gentleman  (since  gone  to  his  rest) ,  who  was  kind  enough  to  take 
an  interest  in  a  lad  like  myself,  was  frequent  in  his  expressions 
of  delight  and  admiration  ;  calling  my  attention  to  his  gesture, 
his  pithy  sentences,  and  his  elegant  elucidation.  The  orator 
closed  amidst  murmurs  of  applause,  and  the  chair  announced 
'  The  Rev.  Mr.  Summerfield  from  England.' — '  What  presump- 
tion !'  said  my  clerical  neighbour  ;  'a  boy  like  that,  to  be  set  up 
after  a  giant  !'  But  the  stripling  came  in  the  name  of  the  God 
of  Israel,  armed  with  'a  few  smooth  stones  from  the  brook'  that 


REMINISCENCES.  451 

flows 'close  by  the  oracles  of  God.'  His  motion  was  one  of 
thanks  to  the  officers  Of  the  Society  for  their  labours  during  the 
year ;  and  of  course  he  had  to  allude  to  the  President,  then 
reposing  in  another  part  of  the  house  ;  and  thus  he  did  it : 

"  '  When  I  saw  that  venerable  man,  too  aged  to  warrant  the 
hope  of  being  with  you  at  another  anniversary,  he  reminded  me  of 
Jacob  leaning  upon  the  top  of  his  staff,  blessing  his  children 
before  he  departed.'' 

"  He  then  passed  on  to  encourage  the  society  by  the  example 
of  the  British  Institution.  '  When  we  first  launched  our  untried 
vessel  upon  the  deep,  the  storms  of  opposition  roared,  and  the 
waves  dashed  angrily  around  us,  and  we  had  hard  work  to  keep 
her  head  to  the  wind.  We  were  faint  with  rowing,  and  our 
strength  would  soon  have  been  gone,  but  we  cried,  "  Lord,  save 
us,  or  we  perish  !  When  a  light  shone  upon  the  waters,  and  we 
saw  a  form  wallcing  upon  the  troubled  sea,  like  unto  that  of  the 
Son  of  God,  and  he  drew  near  the  ship,  and  we  knew  that  it  was 
Jesus;  and  he  stepped  upon  the  deck,  and  laid  his  hand  on  the  helm, 
and  he  said  unto  the  winds  and  the  leaves,  '  Peace,  be  still,''  and 
there  was  a  great  calm.'''  Let  not  the  friends  of  the  Bible  fear, 
"  God  is  in  the  midst  of  us."  "  God  shall  help  us  and  that 
right  early."  '  In  such  a  strain  he  went  on  to  the  close.  '  Won- 
derful :  Wonderful !'  said  my  neighbour,  the  critic,  '  he  talks 
like  an  angel  from  heaven.' 

"  The  next  time  that  I  heard  him,  was  in  the  John  Street 
Church.  The  only  method  by  which  I  could  see  him,  from 
among  the  taller  crowd,  who  filled  every  accessible  space,  was 
by  climbing  like  Zaccheus,  not  a  tree,  but  a  huge  church  stove, 
that  stood  in  the  north-eastern  corner.  I  can  give  you  no  part 
of  the  sermon,  but  I  well  remember  a  fact  that  will  show  the 
intense  power  he  had  of  riveting  the  attention.  We  had  all 
been  crowded  in  the  church  at  least  an  hour  and  a  half  before 
the  time  of  service,  and  among  those  in  the  front  of  the  gallery 
opposite  to  me,  was  a  group  of  the  most  fashionable  women 
then  in  New  York  ;    one  of  whom  was  remarkable  for  her 


452  REMINISCENCES. 

beauty,  but  still  more  famous  for  her  wit,  that  defied  all  restraint 
of  time,  place,  or  person.  Before  the  service  commenced,  she 
was  endeavouring  to  change  her  very  uneasy  position  for  one 
more  comfortable,  but  in  vain.  French  hats  and  Methodist 
bonnets  were  jammed  closely  in  almost  inextricable  confusion. 

Miss  F 's  posture  was  still  most  painful ;   but  the  moment 

Summerfield  began  to  preach,  her  eyes  were  riveted  upon  him, 
and  with  her  lips  slightly  opened,  and  at  times  twitching  con- 
vulsively, she  listened  without  moving  until  he  ceased;  when 
she  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  as  if  only  then  permitted  to  breathe. 
What  effect,  other  than  this,  the  preaching  had  upon  her,  it  is 
impossible  to  say,  but  wherever  Summerfield  was  to  speak,  she 
was  to  be  found.  .  May  we  not  hope  (for  she  has  long  since 
gone  to  her  account)  that  some  seeds  were  sown  in  her  heart 
which  are  now  bearing  fruit  in  heaven. 

"  Preaching  one  morning  in  the  Allen  Street  Methodist 
Church,  upon  Romans  viii.,  38,  39,  he  wished  to  define  and 
illustrate  Christian  confidence  ;  he  did  it  in  this  way  :  '  You 
remember  Peter,  when  he  was  imprisoned,  chained  between 
two  soldiers.  The  Church  Avas  praying  in  tears,  wondering 
what  would  become  of  them  if  their  strong  champion  was  taken 
from  them.  Th"  enemies  of  God  on  earth,  and  the  devils  in 
hell,  were  rejoicing,  that  they  had  Peter  in  their  power.  The 
angels  in  heaven,  ever  intent  upon  the  mysteries  of  Providence 
in  redemption,  were  sending  down  to  see  what  the  Lord  would 
do  with  Peter.  When  heaven,  and  earth,  and  hell, were  think- 
ing of  Peter,  what  were  Peter's  thoughts  ?  What  was  Peter 
doing  ?     Peter  was  asleep  ." 

"  The  sermon  for  the  deaf  and  dumb,  as  printed,  is  nothing 
like  what  it  was  when  delivered,  either  in  thought  or  language. 
Summerfield  himself  wrote  it,  but  after  it  was  preached.  He 
could  not  catch  his  own  '  winged  words.'  The  pen  trammelled 
him.  One  striking  sentence,  which  thrilled  through  us  all,  is 
left  out  altogether.  '  Turn  awa}^  from  these  children  of  afflic- 
tion,' said  he,  '  and  when  the  Lord  says,  "  Inasmuch  as  you  did 


REMINISCENCES.  453 

it  not  unto  the  least  of  these,  you  did  it  not  unto  me,"  you  too 
may  be  dumb,  speechless  in  shame.'' 

"  He  evidently  took  his  last  fatal  cold  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner  stone  of  the  Tract  Society  House,  in  Nassau  street,  from 
standing  on  the  damp  earth  which  had  been  thrown  up  to  make 
room  for  the  foundation.  But  that  morning,  at  the  meeting  in 
the  City  Hotel,  he  had  made  one  of  his  most  delightful  speeches. 
'  Thomas  Paine,'  said  he,  '  boasted  that  he  would  root  up  every 
tree  in  Paradise.  Would  to  God,that  he  had  laid  hold  of  the 
tree  of  life !' 

"  Such  are  a  few  instances  of  his  eloquence.  It  was  peculiar 
to  himself.  Sweet  as  was  his  voice  to  us  then,  it  is  sweeter 
now.  May  we  all  hear  it  in  heaven  !  '  Though  dead,  he  yet 
speaketh'  in  many  hearts.  There  is  one  heart  that  can  never 
forget  him — the  heart  of  the  writer. 

"  Philadelphia,  September,  1843." 

[Extract  from  a  Letter  from  Rev.  Dr.  Bond,  dated  Bridge- 
port, June  22d,  1842.] 

"Our  Baltimore  friends  will  rejoice,  who  listened  to  the  urgent 
applications  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  H.  some  years  ago,  for  aid  in  build- 
ing a  house  of  worship  for  this  little  flock.  They  have  now  a 
very  neat  and  sufficiently  commodious  house  of  prayer.  Perhaps 
I  shall  be  pardoned  for  relating  an  incident  in  reference  to  this 
matter,  which  will  call  to  their  recollection  one  whom  they 
dearly  loved.  Brother  H.  was  at  a  friend's  house  with  the  late 
brother  Summerfield.  He  was  diligent  in  his  business,  and  was 
urging  the  necessities  of  his  little  flock  at  home.  Brother  Sum- 
merfield had  heard  and  felt  the  story  at  other  places  many  times. 
Mingled  with  the  most  sincere  piety,  there  was  an  innocent 
playfulness  about  him  which  rendered  him  one  of  the  most 
agreeable, as  well  as  one  of  the  most  profitable  companions  that 
ever  smoothed  the  pathway  of  life.  On  this  occasion  parodying 
one  of  our  hymns  he  said.  '  Brother  H. — it  seems  to  be 


454  REMINISCENCES. 

„  '  Your  sole  concern,  your  single  care, 

To  gather  money  here  and  there, 

To  build  a  church  at  Bridgeport.1 
"  Mr.  S.,  in  speaking  of  two  most  devoted  friends,  both  conspi- 
cuous and  influential  members  of  the  church,  said,  "  there  is  a 
great  difference  between  the  two — One  is  always  to  be  found  in 
his  closet  at  midday ;  although  actively  engaged  in  the  duties 
of  his  profession,  this  service  he  would  not  omit ; — but  the  other 
suffers  the  world  to  engross  too  much  of  his  attention,  and  con- 
tents himself  with  giving  the  clippings  and  parings  of  his  time. 
Oh !  how  much  more  nobly  does  he  live,  who  is  strictly  observant 
of  his  sacred  appointments  with  his  God  !" 

[Extract  from  a  Letter  of  Dr.  Baker,  dated  Baltimore, 
May  20th,  1836.] 

"  With  regard  to  Summerfield — he  may  be  said  to  have  been 
one  of  those  rare  gifts  which  heaven  has  occasionally  lent  to 
earth.  He  was  truly  one  of  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  always 
carried  with  him  a  holy  savour  which  diffused  its  happy  influences 
wherever  he  went. 

"  The  amenity  of  his  manners  and  the  suavity  of  his  deport- 
ment endeared  him  to  all  who  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  his 
society.  In  him  were  most  happily  blended  the  virtues  of  the 
Christian  with  the  accomplishments  of  the  gentleman,  and  per- 
haps I  do  not  say  too  much  when  I  say,  that  in  him  were  person- 
ified the  graces  of  our  holy  religion. 

"  But  let  us  view  him  in  the  pulpit ;  here  he  shone  most 
conspicuously  in  the  service  of  his  master.  Here  in  sweet  and 
flowing  accents  he  exhibited  the  beauty  of  religion,  and  such 
were  the  attractions  that  he  threw  about  her,  that  almost  all 
who  heard  him  were  constrained  to  say,  '  Oh  !  that  I  were  a 
Christian' — but  when  he  was  about  to  place  the  diadem  on  the 
brow  of  the  dying  saint,  so  brilliantly  did  he  deck  it  with  the 
gems  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  that  it  disarmed  death  of  his  terrors 
and  made  it  appear  a  privilege  for  the  Christian  to  die." 


REMINISCENCES.  455 


[Extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Mr.  Summerfield,  May  13th, 
1823,  from  a  young  gentleman,  a  student  at  law,  novo  a  minister 
of  Christ.'] 

*  *  "  I  sensibly  feel,  that  in  the  hands  of  God,  you  were 
the  one  who  instructed  me  in  the  very  first  principles  of  religion  ; 
for,  before  I  attended  your  ministry,  I  was  as  little  acquainted 
with  the  doctrines  of  the  new  birth,  and  of  Justification  by  Faith, 
as  if  I  had  been  born  and  educated  in  a  Heathen  land.  Though 
suffering  under  a  painful  sense  of  sin,  its  present  heinousness, 
and  the  future  punishment  which  awaited  it ;  yet  I  was  walking 
daringly  forward  in  my  career  of  vice  when  I  heard  you  for  the 
first  time  from  Heb.  xii.  1.  :  my  feet  seemed  riveted  to  the 
floor.  From  that  morning  my  convictions  of  sin,  which  had  for 
some  time  past  been  occasionally  severe  and  poignant,  became 
more  and  more  frequent,  and  yet  more  and  more  terrible  to  bear. 
But  notwithstanding  I  had  become  a  more  uniform  attendant 
upon  public  worship,  still  I  did  not  relinquish  my  former  pur- 
suits in  a  hurry.  Satan  was  yet  my  master  ;  and  though,  through 
the  assistance  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  I  was  struggling  hard  to 
emancipate  myself — my  immortal  soul — from  his  destructive 
power,  yet  he  held  me  fast  bound  in  the  chains  of  sin  and  death  ; 
I  continued  to  walk  in  the  downward  road,  if  not  with  equal 
zest  and  delight,  as  in  former  days,  yet  with  a  more  awful  pre- 
cipitancy, a  far  greater  degree  of  desperation.  On  every  return- 
ing Sabbath,  however,  conscience  failed  not  to  rise  up  against 
me  with  renewed  strength,  crying  aloud,  '  Turn  ye  from  your 
evil  ways !'  But  so  deeply  fixed  were  my  old  habits,  that  it 
seemed  like  rooting  out  the  seeds  of  life  from  the  ground  of  the 
heart,  wholly  to  abandon  them.  Nevertheless,  after  a  long  and 
agonizing  struggle,  I  was  enabled  by  the  grace  of  God  wholly  to 
abandon  them  ;  and  though  I  cannot  to  the  hour  mention  when 
the  burden  of  sin  and  death  was  removed,  vet.  T  humbly  trust.  I 


456  REMINISCENCES. 

can  say,  I  know  I  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because  I 
love  the  brethren  ;  and  also  from  that  mysterious,  though  entire 
revolution  which  hath  been  effected  in  my  feelings,  my  senti- 
ments, and  my  pursuits. 

"  My  song,  now,  day  and  night,  is  praise  and  thanksgiving  to 
my  Redeemer."         *         *         *         * 


[Extract  from  a  letter  dated  Dec.  4th,  1822,  addressed  to  the 
Rev.  J.  Summerfield  by  a  young  gentleman,  a  student  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Princeton,  now  a  minister  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church^] 

#  *  #  *  u  t  s}10Uid  d0  injustice  to  my  feelings  did  I  not  take 
this  opportunity  of  thanking  you  for  the  kindly  interest  you  have 
ever  taken  in  my  spiritual  welfare.  I  shall  ever  have  reason  to 
bless  God  that  I  have  heard  you  ;  for  it  was  through  your  in- 
strumentality, under  the  blessed  God,  that  I  was  first  led  to  turn 
my  attention  to  those  subjects  which  belong  to  my  eternal  peace. 
It  was  under  your  preaching  that  I  first  was  brought  to  see  my 
danger  as  a  sinner  exposed  to  the  curse  of  a  broken  law.  I  felt 
that  I  had  never  answered  the  object  of  my  creation,  the  glory 
of  God  ;  but  I  raised  my  puny  arms  against  the  authority  of 
the  Most  High  ;  and  the  language  of  my  heart  and  actions  has 
been,  '  there  is  no  God.1  You  preached  Christ  and  him  cruci- 
fied, and  offered  a  Saviour  willing  and  able  to  save  to  the  utter- 
most.— I  felt  my  need  of  such  a  Saviour,  and,  as  I  trust,  accepted 
of  him  as  my  portion,  as  my  all  in  all.  I  am  now  a  professed 
follower  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus,  and  have  determined, 
relying  upon  his  grace  to  support  and  strengthen  me,  to  devote 
myself  soul  and  body  to  his  service.  I  feel  more  and  more  the 
great  importance  of  the  work  for  which  I  am  preparing,  and  its 
awful  responsibility.  '  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?'  I 
trust,  my  dear  friend,  that  you  will  pray  for  me  that  my  faith  and 
love  and  all  my  Christian  graces  may  be  in  lively  exercise." 


REMINISCENCES.  457 

[Extract  from  a  Letter  from  Rev.  Dr.  Townley  to  J.  B., 
dated  London,  Oct.  20th,  1S25.] 

"  I  am  well  convinced  that  '  take  him  for  all  in  all,  I  ne'er 
shall  look  upon  his  like  again.'  His  deep  piety,  unassuming 
yet.  most  amiable  manners,  uncommon  talents,  and  susceptible 
mind,  endeared  him  to  his  friends  and  gave  an  ardour  to  their 
attachment  bordering  on  enthusiasm,  and  rendered  him  the  object 
of  universal  esteem  and  unbounded  popularity." 

"  Summerfield,"  says  the  poet  Montgomery,  "  was  not  a  man 
of  every  day ;  there  is  yet  fire  enough  in  his  ashes  to  kindle  a 
flame  that  will  be  much  longer  lived  than  himself." 

Dr.  Nevins,  in  a  letter,  says  of  Summerfield — 

"  Simplicity,  artlessness  and  fervour  were  among  the  charac- 
teristics of  his  eloquence.  It  has  been  said  by  some  that  there 
was  art  in  it — if  there  was,  it  was  the  absolute  perfection  of  art, 
for  it  succeeded  in  concealing  its  own  existence — it  was  the  art 
of  nature,  if  I  may  so  express  it. 

"  In  conversation  he  was  often  brilliant  and  always  interesting. 
His  sweet  spirit  of  piety  diffused  itself  through  all  that  he  said — 
but  the  pulpit  was  his  stronghold,  and  in  the  simple  preaching 
of  the  gospel  lay  his  great  talent." 

Mr.  Summerfield  was  fearless  in  the  Pulpit. — To  quote  an  in- 
stance. At  the  time  when  Queen  Caroline's  (wife  of  George  IV.) 
name  was  expunged  from  the  Liturgy,  of  course  all  denomina- 
tions omitted  her  name  in  prayer — Mr.  Summerfield  preached  in 
Brunswick  Chapel,  Liverpool,  when,  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
immense  congregation  present,  he  offered  up  a  most  fervent 
and  eloquent  prayer  for  the  Queen. 


458  REMINISCENCES. 


Letter    from  Mr.  Summerfi eld's  father. 

The  following  touching  letter  was  written  under  the  most 
afflictive  circumstances,  three  weeks  before  the  death  of  Mr. 
Summerfield.  Mr.  S.  was  laid  very  low  at  the  house  of  Dr. 
Beekman,  in  Courtland  Street,  N.  Y.,  and  his  father  was  confined 
by  severe  illness  at  the  residence  of  his  son-in-law  at  Blooming- 
dale,  four  miles  apart. 

"  Friday  Evening,  May  20lh,  1825. 
"  My  dear  John — 

"  The  mysterious  providence  of  our  being  separated  by 
severe  affliction,  I  sincerely  feel ;  and  were  I  not  supported  by 
the  assurance  that  all  things  shall  work  for  our  good,  my  spirit 
would  fail ; — but  here  I  rest. 

"  My  dear  John,  you  are  surrounded  by  friendly  physicians 
who  are  deeply  concerned  for  your  bodily  health,  and  probably 
so  much  so  as  to  prohibit  the  access  of  God's  people.  But 
remember,  my  dear,  they  cannot  stand  for  you  before  God ; 
therefore,  any  of  His  people  you  may  wish  for,  send  for  them. 
My  prayers  and  tears  are  continually  sent  to  the  Mercy  seat  on 
your  behalf. 

"  I  know  not  how  this  our  affliction  will  end  ;  but  it  will  be 
our  highest  wisdom  to  lay  hold  of  God,  as  he  is  revealed  in  his 
word  according  to  our  wants,  through  our  right  in  the  atonement 
by  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Your  afflicted  and  affectionate  father, 

"  WILLIAM  SUMMERFIELD." 


On  the  13th  of  June,  the  day  Mr.  S.  died,  a  friend  immedi- 
ately proceeded  to  Bloomingdale  to  communicate  the  mournful 
intelligence  to  his  afflicted  parent.  On  the  gentleman's  enter- 
ing Ins  chamber  he  raised  his  head  from  his  pillow,  and  was  at 


REMINISCENCES.  459 

once  convinced  of  the  cause  of  the  visit,  "  So,  Mr.  Sands,  I  per- 
ceive you  are  the  harbinger  of  melancholy  tidings  to  me — my 
dear  John  is  no  more  !"  After  a  solemn  pause,  he  raised  his 
eyes  heavenward,  and  with  pious  resignation  exclaimed — 
"  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away" — deeply 
agitated — then  added — "  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

NOTE. 

The  new  church  in  Sands-street,  Erooklyn,  erected  in  the 
year  1843 — a  large  and  beautiful  edifice — extends  over  the  re- 
mains of  the  lamented  Summerfield  and  those  of  his  revered 
father  ;  consequently,  they  now  lie  immediately  under  the  pul- 
pit.    A  neat  tablet  is  inserted  in  the  wall  inside  of  the  Church. 

The  cenotaph  to  Summerfield  was  placed  on  the  outside  of 
the  old  church,  in  John  Street,  and  on  the  erection  of  the  new 
church,  in  1840,  the  Trustees  evinced  their  affectionate  regard 
for  his  memory,  by  having  it  more  appropriately  placed  on  the 
wall  inside 


460  REMINISCENCES. 

REV.    JOHN    SUMMERFIELD 

BY    WHLlAJl    B.    TAPPAN,    ESQ. 

I  saw  the  Evangelist  of  God  ascend 

The  holy  place.     He  stood  in  the  beauty 

Of  meekness. — He  spake,  and  on  my  heart 

Fell  accents  glowing  with  the  prophet's  fire. 

1  heard  thee,  mighty  one  !   and  was  afraid, 

Yea,  trembling,  listened ;  for  methought  no  voice 

Of  mortal  mould  could  thrill  my  bosom  thus. 

Oh,  sweet  as  angels'  music, were  the  tones 

That  breathed  their  gilead  on  the  wounded  heart ; 

Strengthen'd  the  weary — bade  the  broken  come 

To  Siloa's  fountain,  and  in  faith  be  whole. 

I  wept  o'er  blighted  hopes — but  thou  didst  draw, 

A  willing  captive,  my  admiring  soul 

With  thee,  to  brighter  regions,  where  the  dream 

Of  full  fruition  lives,  nor  is  unreal. 

I  feared  Death — but  thou  didst  deck  the  foe 

In  lovely  garb;  with  softest  beauty  clad 

I  saw  him  beckoning  to  the  narrow  house 

Of  rest,  where  spicy  odours  balm  the  air, 

And  resurrection's  halo  crowns  the  dead. 

God  speed  thee,  favoured  one  !     Thy  diadem 

Is  wreathed  of  gentleness,  and  thick  bestrown 

With  pearls  of  nature's  forming — they  are  tears, 

Yea,  tears  of  rapture,  holy,  and  untold. 


i  In. 


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